The Ghana Black Stars may be forced to relocate their remaining home games for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers to Nigeria, following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) withdrawal of approval for the use of Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
This decision comes after a recent inspection by CAF highlighted several concerns about the stadium’s suitability for competitive matches.
During their visit, the CAF inspection team identified multiple issues with the Baba Yara Stadium, including an uneven playing surface, inadequate drainage, and insufficient grass cover. These deficiencies were deemed significant enough to affect the quality of play and player safety, prompting CAF to withdraw its endorsement of the venue.
In addition to the problems at Baba Yara Stadium, other venues in Ghana, such as Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium, were also found to be lacking the necessary standards for hosting high-level matches.
Consequently, CAF has requested that Ghana select an alternative venue from a list of approved locations outside the country for Matchdays 3 and 4 of the AFCON qualifiers scheduled for October.
Sources from Joy Sports have indicated that the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, is emerging as the most likely candidate to host the Black Stars’ remaining home fixtures.
Following two games in the AFCON qualifiers, Ghana has accumulated just one point, having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Angola and secured a 1-1 draw against Niger Republic.
The relocation of their home games aims to provide a suitable environment for the Black Stars to improve their performance and advance in the qualifiers.
Ghana will face Sudan next in a double-header matchday 3 and 4 of the 2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifier on the 7th and 15th of October, 2024.
Oluwayemi Omolagba