The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has addressed the circumstances surrounding the departure of Nora Hauptle as head coach of the Black Queens, stating that it was a disagreement over remuneration and not a lack of friendly matches that led to her exit.
Häuptle, who took over in 2023, guided the Black Queens to qualify for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after Ghana missed the last two editions of the competition. However, she left her position following the expiration of her contract, signing a three-year deal with Zambia.
Before the official announcement of her departure, Hauptle raised concerns about the team’s preparations, particularly regarding the scarcity of friendly matches. She posted on LinkedIn, highlighting the lack of game time for the team compared to other nations ahead of the 2025 tournament.
In response, GFA spokesperson Henry Asante Twum clarified that Häuptle’s departure was not due to the absence of friendly matches but rather a dispute over her remuneration.
Twum explained, “We only failed to play a friendly match in November. How is that enough reason for the coach not to have her contract extended? It is purely an issue of remuneration disagreement.”
He further stated that the GFA had organized multiple friendlies for the team, including matches against Benin, Senegal twice, and Japan, where Ghana lost 4-0. “In November, we planned friendlies against Senegal, Tunisia, and France, but these were cancelled due to the distance and the players’ fatigue after the Japan friendly. It was all done by the FA,” Twum added.
The GFA has reassured the public that a replacement for Hauptle will be announced in due course, as the Black Queens continue preparations for the upcoming WAFCON.