Ghana's national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, has received government backing as they prepare to represent Africa at the 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico. The team was unveiled at a ceremony at the ESP Hotel in Labone, attended by Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams, National Sports Authority Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, and National Paralympic Committee Ghana president Samson Deen. The Black Challenge won the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo, Egypt, to secure their spot in the World Cup.
The Black Challenge has been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Colombia, and Iraq, with the World Cup scheduled to take place in San Juan de los Lagos from 13 to 22 November. Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams praised the team for their achievements, emphasizing the need for government support to help them prepare for the tournament. He encouraged the public to recognize the team's sacrifices and not wait for them to win a trophy before offering assistance.
Minister Adams disclosed that the ministry had asked the team's leadership to submit all outstanding documentation to enable the government to follow up on previous pledges and commitments. He also commended Gold Fields Ghana for proposing a $500,000 sponsorship package for disability sports, with $250,000 earmarked for the Black Challenge's preparations. This sponsorship will help provide the necessary support for the team's campaign.
Samson Deen, president of the National Paralympic Committee Ghana, stressed that representing Ghana at a global tournament required significant financial and logistical support. He appealed to the government and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to take responsibility for the team's campaign and urged the players to maintain discipline as they prepare for the tournament. Deen also announced incentives for the team, including GH₵10,000 for each player and GH₵5,000 for officials if the team achieves their target.
National Sports Authority Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah expressed confidence in the team's ability to compete at the highest level and urged the media to give greater prominence to their achievements. Black Challenge head coach Seth Obeng introduced his squad during the ceremony, while captain Richard Opentil appealed for further support as the team seeks to win the World Cup.
The Black Challenge has established themselves as one of Africa's leading amputee football teams, having won continental titles in Tanzania in 2021, Ghana in 2023, and Egypt in 2024. Team manager Ali Jarra said the players had the quality to succeed but needed greater motivation and called on individuals and corporate Ghana to support their World Cup campaign.
With government backing and sponsorship, the Black Challenge will now intensify preparations for their Group D matches as they seek to follow their continental success with a strong showing on the world stage. The team's campaign is expected to receive greater attention, and their achievements will likely inspire others in Ghana's disability sports sector.
Key points
- The Black Challenge will represent Africa at the 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico after winning the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo, Egypt.
- The Ghanaian government has pledged support for the team, including working to ensure the players' sacrifices receive recognition and exploring sponsorship opportunities.
- The team has been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Colombia, and Iraq, with the World Cup scheduled to take place from 13 to 22 November.
