By Daniel Bampoe
Members of the senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, have been left stranded in the United Arab Emirates following the sudden closure of the country’s airspace and the suspension of all inbound and outbound flights triggered by escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
The crisis unfolded late Saturday night after the outbreak of the Israel–Iran conflict, prompting aviation authorities in the UAE to shut down air traffic as a security precaution.
As a result, the Ghanaian women’s team, who are in Dubai for the Pink Ladies Cup, have been unable to travel, with all commercial flights cancelled indefinitely.
The Black Queens arrived in Dubai on Wednesday, February 25, to participate in the four-nation invitational tournament, which forms part of the international women’s football calendar.
The competition was designed as a crucial preparatory platform for Ghana’s campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, scheduled to begin in Morocco on March 17, 2026.
On the pitch, Ghana had started their campaign positively, recording a dominant 4–0 victory over Hong Kong in their opening fixture on Saturday.
The match was meant to set the tone for a series of high-intensity games aimed at fine-tuning tactics, squad balance, and match fitness ahead of the continental tournament.
However, the security situation deteriorated later that same evening. Reports indicate that parts of Dubai came under attack from Iranian missile strikes, with sections of the city, including areas around hotels and parts of the airport, said to have been affected.
Although the immediate surroundings of the Ghanaian team were not directly hit, the broader security threat prompted emergency protocols.
Media reports indicate that officials have instructed players to pack their luggage in anticipation of a possible evacuation.
The squad has reportedly been confined to their hotel rooms, with players described as anxious and uncertain about the rapidly evolving situation.
The Ghanaian contingent in the UAE consists of 25 players and 16 officials, currently accommodated at Four Points by Sheraton, located in Sharjah, a port city just outside Dubai.
The team was originally scheduled to face Russia on Tuesday before concluding the tournament with a match against Tanzania on Friday.
Those fixtures now appear uncertain, as the suspension of flights and security restrictions place the remainder of the tournament in jeopardy.
Players who spoke to Journalists confirmed that while their hotel and immediate area have not been directly affected, visible damage has been observed in areas estimated to be 10 to 15 minutes away.
One player disclosed, “We have all finished packing and are awaiting further communication from the officials,” while another added, “The irony is that while we are packed and ready to leave, more people are trooping into the hotel. The lobby is crowded.”
On the diplomatic front, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana) announced on Saturday that it is actively assessing the security situation and the feasibility of evacuating Ghanaian nationals in affected areas.
The Embassy in the UAE has also advised all Ghanaians in the country to remain calm, avoid unnecessary movement, and adhere strictly to official security directives.
