Players of Black Stars before a game
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that the government has significantly cut the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) budget proposals for the Black Stars’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.
The GFA’s initial submission for both fixtures stood at over $2 million, but the Sports Ministry approved a revised figure of $1.3 million.
Of this, $841,290 has been allocated for the Chad match in N’Djamena, with $463,600 earmarked for the subsequent clash with Mali.
Addressing the press ahead of the Chad game, Adams stressed that his ministry carefully scrutinises all GFA financial requests before approval.
Black Stars to pocket $5,000 each as winning bonus for World Cup qualifiers
“The estimate submitted for Match Day 7 was over $1 million. After review, the Ministry approved about $860k. The ticket for players and officials, we have a flat unit for all players and officials, but some spend more, while others spend less,” he said.
The minister further explained that the cost of travel has been a major area of review.
“The flat amount was $6,000 per ticket for all 28 players and officials. Flight tickets presented to the Sports Ministry are always higher than what is required. The Ministry, since I took over, has reviewed and even used alternative means to buy the tickets.”
The budget disclosure comes after mounting public pressure on the ministry to reveal financial details of national team expenses, following President John Mahama’s February directive on transparency.
The Black Stars will leave Accra on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, for Chad, where they face the hosts at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday.
Ghana currently tops Group I with 15 points from six matches, and victory against Chad would further strengthen their push toward a fifth World Cup appearance.
After the Chad game, Ghana will face Mali in Accra on September 8, 2025, before wrapping up their qualifying campaign in October against the Central African Republic and Comoros.
FKA/MA
Meanwhile, watch videos from Black Stars first training sessions ahead of WC Qualifiers against Chad and Mali
