The sudden departure of Nora Hauptle as head coach of the Black Queens has raised several eyebrows, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding her exit.

The coach had expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s preparations, particularly the lack of friendly matches, which she believed hindered the team’s development ahead of the 2025 tournament.

However, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has come forward with a different explanation, shedding light on what really transpired behind closed doors.

In a recent statement, Henry Asante Twum, the spokesperson for the GFA, clarified that the coach’s departure was not due to the lack of friendly matches, as initially suggested.

“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,” Asante Twum said during an interview.

The GFA spokesperson also addressed the canceled friendlies in November, revealing that the plans to play against Senegal, Tunisia, and France were scrapped due to logistical challenges.

“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,” he explained.

This revelation comes in response to the concerns Hauptle raised on her LinkedIn page. Prior to her exit, the coach had posted about the lack of competitive fixtures for the Black Queens, something she felt could affect their readiness for upcoming international competitions.

Hauptle’s comments were well-received by fans and players alike, who also felt that the team could benefit from more match play to gain momentum and experience.

However, it seems that the real issue may have been a deeper, more personal one. According to Asante Twum, the disagreements were rooted in financial matters, particularly the terms of Hauptle’s remuneration.

The specifics of the dispute remain unclear, but it is evident that the financial aspects of her contract played a central role in her decision to part ways with the team.

“Nora’s concerns were not about the friendlies, as she may have implied, but about her remuneration. We respect her decision, but it was an issue that needed to be addressed at the negotiation table,” Asante Twum added.

Don’t miss out! Get your daily dose of Entertainment news and more straight to your phone. Join Ghana Street Journal Whatsapp channel now!