The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, citing technical infractions that make the venue unsuitable for competitive matches. The decision comes after a CAF team inspected the stadium and identified several issues with the playing field, including uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover.
The withdrawal of approval puts pressure on the National Sports Authority to act swiftly to address the issues before the next supervision date. Failure to meet the requirements could result in the Blackstars, Ghana’s national football team, being forced to play their next games, including the AFCON qualifiers, at a neutral ground.
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium was the only CAF and FIFA-approved stadium in Ghana capable of hosting international tournaments and games. With this new development, Ghana no longer has a CAF-approved stadium, putting the country at risk of losing the opportunity to host international tournaments.
The recent scrutiny of the stadium’s condition was prompted by the state of the field during the AFCON Qualifier game between Ghana and Angola. The poor condition of the field was evident, with uneven surfaces and inadequate grass cover. Coaches from both teams complained about the field after the game, with the Angolan coach stating, “A country like Ghana deserves a better sports facility than this.”
The stadium has been closed for maintenance and checks, leaving the Blackstars without a home ground. The team has performed poorly in recent years, winning just two out of 11 games. Many top sports analysts attribute the team’s poor performance to the subpar condition of the stadiums.
The loss of CAF approval for the Baba Yara Stadium is a wake-up call for Ghana’s football authorities to prioritize stadium maintenance and development. With the country’s football reputation at stake, swift action is needed to address the technical issues and restore the stadium to its former glory.
