CAF President Patrice Motsepe has expressed his dissatisfaction with Ghana following the recent ban on the Baba Yara Stadium. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revoked the stadium’s approval to host matches for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers due to concerns regarding playing surfaces, poor drainage, and insufficient grass coverage. This ruling currently prevents Ghana from hosting international games at the venue.
During a press briefing in Nairobi, Motsepe shared his frustration about the situation, stating, “Nothing frustrates me more than a national team or club side having to play home matches outside. You can’t grow football if the national teams or club sides aren’t playing in front of their home fans. Our conversations in every country is to make sure there is at least one stadium capable of hosting a CAF category C game.”
Ghana is scheduled to face Sudan in a critical AFCON qualifying doubleheader in October, although the venue for the first leg remains undecided. Reports indicate that the Black Stars may play the first leg against the Sudanese Falcons in neighboring Togo, with the return leg set to take place at the Al-Merrikh Stadium.
In support of CAF’s decision, Dreams FC coach Karim Zito commented on the situation, stating, “Let me say this, I’m oK with that, with this decision by CAF. Yes, because this will help us to do it, to do things better. Because it’s like, today we go to Baba Yara, we play there, next time, there is trouble.” He recalled his experience at the African Confederation event in Rwanda, noting the stark difference in facilities: “During the African Confederation, when I went to Rwanda, I looked at the facility and said we are far back. Far, far, far, far back. Even the dressing room of the coaches alone tells you something.”
In response to the situation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association to seek CAF’s approval for alternative venues, including the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, for the Black Stars’ upcoming home game. Ghana is set to confront Sudan on October 11 and 15.
