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On Tuesday, September 11, 2024, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially banned Ghana’s only approved stadium, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, from hosting international matches. This bold decision has exposed the deteriorating infrastructure of Ghanaian football.
CAF was compelled to take this action due to years of neglect and disregard by the National Sports Authority (NSA), leading to a severe decline in the quality of the stadium. This ban is a major blow to the Ghanaian government, highlighting their failure to address long-standing concerns regarding the condition of the Baba Yara Stadium.
The decision follows a series of technical issues observed during the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier between Ghana and Angola on September 5, 2024. CAF inspectors identified the poor condition of the playing field as the primary issue, with concerns over the uneven surface, inadequate drainage, and insufficient grass cover.
The 40,000-capacity stadium no longer meets the standards required for hosting Category 3 international matches under CAF regulations. This decision has intensified scrutiny of Ghana’s stadiums, as the Baba Yara facility, along with Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium, has faced repeated warnings from CAF in recent years.
With no other stadium in Ghana meeting the required Category 3 criteria, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) now faces the challenge of finding an alternative venue for upcoming international matches. CAF has directed the GFA to secure a suitable stadium outside of Ghana for the upcoming Matchday 3 and 4 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
CAF has also called on the Ghanaian authorities to conduct a thorough review of all major international stadiums to ensure they meet technical standards. To support this effort, CAF has offered assistance in the form of a pitch consultant, experienced in major international tournaments like AFCON, to advise on the necessary improvements. The consultancy fees will be covered by the GFA.
After the renovations are completed, CAF has committed to conducting an independent inspection, at the request and expense of the GFA, to determine whether the Baba Yara Stadium can once again host international matches.
The GFA has acknowledged the situation and pledged to work with the government to expedite the necessary upgrades to restore the Baba Yara Stadium to international standards. Meanwhile, the GFA is exploring alternative venues for the Black Stars’ upcoming fixtures, with neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the newly renovated TnA Stadium in Tarkwa under consideration.
This development creates significant uncertainty for Ghana’s international fixtures in October, as the national team will be forced to play its home matches abroad until the stadium issues are resolved.
Source:LocoTVgh.com