The Ghana Black Queens, the senior women’s national football team, have now safely touched down back home in Ghana after an eventful and tense period abroad.
The team had traveled to the United Arab Emirates in late February 2026 to compete in the Pink Ladies Cup, a four-nation invitational tournament where they delivered an outstanding performance, defeating strong opponents including Russia, China, and Hong Kong to claim the championship title in a historic triumph for Ghanaian women’s football.
Their stay in the UAE, primarily in Dubai and Sharjah, coincided with a sudden escalation of unrest across parts of the Middle East, involving military tensions, missile alerts, airspace closures, and flight suspensions that left many travelers—including the Black Queens—temporarily stranded.
Reports emerged of anxious moments for the squad, with players and officials confined to their hotel, a missile warning triggering an emergency evacuation from their high-rise accommodation, and widespread uncertainty as neighboring countries evacuated their citizens while flights in and out of the region ground to a halt.
The assistant coach and performance analyst of Ghana’s women’s national football team, the Black Queens, Ronnie Bergdahl, shared a gripping firsthand account of a frightening UAE night in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates after returning to his home country, Sweden.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and the diplomatic mission in the UAE stepped in quickly to provide reassurance and consular support, confirming early on that the entire delegation of players and staff remained safe, in good health, and under close monitoring amid the turbulent situation.
Despite initial concerns and calls from some within the team to return home promptly for safety reasons, arrangements were eventually made for their departure once conditions allowed.
Their successful return has been met with widespread relief and celebration across Ghana, with fans, media outlets, and sports authorities expressing gratitude for their safe arrival and pride in their on-field achievements under challenging circumstances.
The Black Queens’ victory in the Pink Ladies Cup, combined with their resilience during the regional crisis, stands as a testament to their determination both as athletes and as representatives of the nation.