Size of TNA stadium doesn’t meet requirement for AFCON qualifiers – Dr Tony Aubynn

Medeama SC Board Chairman, Dr. Tony Aubynn, has acknowledged that despite the vibrant atmosphere of the new Tarkwa and Aboso (TNA) Park, it does not meet the requirements to host the upcoming AFCON qualifier between Ghana and Sudan in October.

Following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) ban on the Baba Yara Stadium, which prevents Ghana from hosting the Black Stars’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Dr. Aubynn says the newly built TNA Stadium in Tarkwa could have served as an alternative if it met the necessary specifications.

Ghana is scheduled to face Sudan in back-to-back qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON early next month, leaving the national team to seek a suitable venue that meets CAF’s requirements.

In an interview with ChannelOne Sports, Dr. Aubynn expressed his frustration over the ban and the limitations faced by other venues:

“At the moment in the country, I believe that it (the TNA) is the best stadium. Unfortunately, the size is not up to the level that we could go and play the African Cup (qualifiers) there. Otherwise, in the current challenge that we have, we would have suggested that they go to Tarkwa and play.”

CAF’s Category 3 standards mandate that host venues must accommodate at least 30,000 spectators, whereas the TNA Stadium currently has a capacity of just over 10,000. This significant shortfall rules it out as a possible venue for the crucial qualifiers.