Black Maidens receive per diems as qualification bonuses remain unpaid – Joe Adarkwa

Black Maidens head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa has confirmed that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation has paid the team’s per diems, but their qualification bonuses for reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup remain outstanding.

Ghana’s preparations for their crucial Round of 16 clash against Argentina have continued in Morocco, with the coach revealing that the players are still waiting for the bonuses earned after progressing from the group stage.

Speaking to Citi Sports on Tuesday, October 27, Adarkwa confirmed that the per diem payments had been settled. However, he declined to reveal the amount the team is expecting in qualification bonuses.

“In terms of per diems, they have done everything here, but what is left is our qualification bonus from the group stage to the knockout stage of the tournament. That is the only one we are waiting for. Apart from that, everything is okay here,” he said.

The Black Maidens will face Argentina on Wednesday, October 28, in their first-ever meeting at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Ghana will be hoping to build on their proud record in the competition as they chase another deep run in Morocco. The team’s best finish came in 2012, when they won bronze under former coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani. After losing to France in the semi-finals, Ghana defeated Germany in the third-place playoff to secure a place on the podium.

The West African side also reached the quarter-finals in 2014, 2016 and 2018 before missing subsequent editions. Their return to the tournament in 2026 has given them another opportunity to compete for the world title.

With Argentina standing between them and a quarter-final place, Adarkwa and his players will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s encounter as they seek to keep their title ambitions alive.