The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday September 11, 2024, banned Ghana’s only approved stadium, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, from hosting international matches, in a spectacular move that has unmasked the sorry infrastructure state of Ghanaian football.
The continent’s governing body, CAF, has been left no choice but to ban the venue from hosting top-tier international matches after years of neglect and outright disregard by the National Sports Authority (NSA).
This is a massive slap and blot on the country’s government for their total neglect of widespread concerns about the quality of the Baba Yara stadium facility.
This decision follows a series of technical infractions observed during the recent Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola held on September 5, 2024.
The primary concern raised by CAF inspectors is the subpar condition of the playing field.
The stadium, which boasts a capacity of over 40,000 spectators, witnessed significant deterioration of its pitch, including uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover.
These shortcomings prevent the stadium from meeting the required standards for hosting Category 3 international matches as per CAF regulations.
This is not the first time CAF has expressed concerns about Ghanaian stadiums.
The letter issued by CAF highlights previous warnings regarding the state of the Baba Yara Stadium, along with Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium.
The lack of alternative venues meeting CAF’s Category 3 criteria has created a predicament for the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
To address the situation, CAF has requested the GFA to identify a suitable venue outside Ghana for the upcoming Matchday 3 and 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers.
The new directive means Ghana will have to host matches abroad, as the Baba Yara Stadium failed to meet requirements.
Emphasizing the urgency of improvements, CAF has urged the Ghanaian authorities to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all major international stadiums to ensure compliance with their technical standards.
Beyond the immediate crisis, CAF has offered its support to Ghana in restoring its stadiums to international standards.
This support includes providing an experienced pitch consultant, specializing in major international competitions like AFCON, to offer expert guidance on the necessary renovations.
The cost of this consultancy would be borne by the GFA.
Following the completion of the renovations, CAF has committed to conducting 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 situation and pledged to collaborate with the government to expedite the necessary upgrades and restore the Baba Yara Stadium to its former glory.
This development casts a shadow over Ghana’s upcoming international fixtures in October, forcing them to seek alternative venues outside the country
