AFCON Q: Ghana likely to play remaining home games in Nigeria

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.