Ghanaian football fans are facing disappointment as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has deemed Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium unsuitable for international matches.
This decision follows technical issues observed during the recent Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola on September 5, 2024.
CAF inspectors have raised concerns about the poor condition of the playing field, which has suffered significant deterioration.
Issues include uneven surfaces, inadequate drainage, and insufficient grass cover, all of which fail to meet CAF’s standards for Category 3 international matches.
This isn’t the first time CAF has voiced concerns about Ghanaian stadiums. The letter from CAF also cites previous warnings about the Baba Yara Stadium, as well as the Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium.
With no alternative venues meeting CAF’s Category 3 criteria, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a challenge.
CAF has requested the GFA to find a suitable venue outside Ghana for the upcoming Matchday 3 and 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers.
CAF has stressed the need for urgent improvements and has called on Ghanaian authorities to conduct a thorough assessment of all major international stadiums to ensure they meet technical standards.
Once renovations are completed, CAF has agreed to perform an independent inspection at the GFA’s request and expense to reassess the Baba Yara Stadium’s suitability for future matches.
The GFA has acknowledged the issue and is committed to working with the government to expedite the necessary upgrades to restore the Baba Yara Stadium.
As a result, Ghana’s upcoming international fixtures in October will need to be played at alternative venues outside the country.
