Ghana’s ex-captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah, criticized the possibility of hosting the next AFCON qualifier outside the country, calling it a “national embarrassment.”
In light of CAF’s decision, his comments are a direct result of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium’s approval being revoked.
CAF banned the Baba Yara Stadium because the pitch was deemed “unsuitable.”
This decision leaves Ghana with the possibility of hosting its upcoming qualifier against Sudan in October in neighboring countries like Togo, Nigeria, or Ivory Coast.
Appiah expressed his frustration in a tweet, describing it as a national embarrassment to play a qualifier outside Ghana unless it’s during a tournament. We must prioritize hosting our own games and protect our football pride.”
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to get CAF’s authorization for two different venues in Accra, the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium, to host the upcoming match of the Black Stars. According to the Ministry’s expression of confidence, both stadiums are expected to meet CAF’s standards.
This directive is a result of efforts to avoid the challenges of playing home matches in other countries and protect Ghana’s football reputation. The Accra Sports Stadium has seen major improvements since its last CAF inspection, while the University of Ghana Stadium is still awaiting Category 3 certification.
Securing approval for these venues is now an urgent task for Ghana to enable the national team to play at home. The Ministry has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to enhancing the country’s sports infrastructure, which includes ongoing renovations at other national venues like Cape Coast Stadium.