Ghana likely to play remaining home games in Nigeria after Baba Yara stadium ban
A monumental embarrassment awaits Ghana, after the Confederation of African Football withdrew approval for the use of the Baba Yara Stadium for AFCON Qualifiers.
The CAF inspection team, on their last visit to Ghana, identified several issues, including a playing field that was deemed unsuitable for competitive matches. Uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover were some of the issues raised.
According to CAF, persistent issues at the venue, as well as others in Ghana, such as Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium have resulted in the continent’s governing body asking Ghana to select an alternative venue from among those approved outside Ghana, for Matchday 3 and 4 of the AFCON qualifiers in October.
In light of this, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, seems like the most likely alternative for Ghana, according to Joy Sports sources.
Largely due to its close proximity to Ghana, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and two other likely alternatives, in the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny and the Stade de la Paix, both in Côte d’Ivoire, are being seriously considered.
Other options for Ghana will be Cameroon’s Japoma Stadium, located in Douala and the Berkane Municipal Stadium, in Morocco, where Ghana played Niger.
Ghana is expected to make their decision known to CAF within the coming days.
With this in mind, Mike-Connect has compiled a list of countries that could provide standard stadiums for Ghana to host their next home game, albeit abroad.
Ivory Coast
Fresh from hosting the 2023 AFCON, Ivory Coast have several stadiums that meet CAF/FIFA’s required standards.
Six world-class stadiums in the country were used for the AFCON, including the Alassane Ouattara Stadium and Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, and they remain in very good shape.
With Ghana sharing a border with the Ivory Coast, the country could come to the Black Stars’ rescue with a venue for their next home game.
Nigeria
As embarrassing as it sounds, Ghana could find themselves at the doorstep of rivals Nigeria as the search for an alternative venue begins.
It’s not like Nigeria are superior when it comes to maintaining sports infrastructure, but they are currently in a far better situation than Ghana. Not only is the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja good enough to host international standard matches, but the beautiful Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where the Super Eagles recently hosted Benin in an AFCON qualifier, is also a viable venue.
Morocco
Morocco are far away in North Africa but boast excellent facilities and have often been charitable enough to allow other nations to play their home matches there.
Recently, Ghana’s AFCON qualifier against Niger was played at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco due to the latter’s inability to host their matches in their home country. Maybe, Ghana could also be following suit after CAF withdrew its approval of the Baba Yara Stadium.
Mali
Should Ghana decide not to travel very far for their home games abroad, Mali could be another option. Mali has invested a lot into their sports infrastructure and their reward is having several world-class pitches.
When the Black Stars faced the Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in June, the game was played at the Stadium du 26 Mars in Bamako. Given that Ghana won that game, the GFA could consider playing there again as an alternative home venue.
South Africa
Just like Morocco, South Africa are blessed with many good stadiums and are often open to letting other countries in distress use their facilities.
The distance might be an issue but there are certainly many international standard stadiums in South Africa that Ghana can adopt for their home matches. The Orlando Stadium in Soweto, the FNB Stadium and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium are all options to choose from.
