Veteran Actor Henry Harding blasts GFA over lack of preparatory games for Black Queens leading to the coach’s exit

Veteran Ghanaian actor and football enthusiast Henry Harding, popularly known as Pattington Papa Nii Papafio, has strongly criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for its perceived negligence in preparing the Black Queens ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Papa Nii, a long-time supporter of Ghanaian football, expressed his frustration over the GFA’s failure to organize adequate preparatory matches for the team. His comments follow the resignation of Black Queens coach Nora Häuptle, who publicly lamented the lack of competitive fixtures in the lead-up to the tournament.

Speaking exclusively to Happy Sports, he said, “How can we expect our Black Queens to compete on the continental stage when they have no proper preparations? Other countries are playing multiple friendlies and fine-tuning their strategies, but we are here doing nothing. This lack of seriousness is why we can’t compete”.

Nora Häuptle had earlier shared her disappointment through a LinkedIn post, highlighting the disparity in the number of preparatory games played by Ghana compared to other WAFCON competitors. She emphasized that success in football requires continuous development and high-performance game exposure for players.

Her departure has added fuel to the fire, with reports indicating she had rejected a contract renewal with the GFA and is set to join the Zambian Football Association as their head coach.

The Black Queens’ lack of preparatory matches has left many questioning Ghana’s readiness for the 2025 WAFCON, which will be held in July.