The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has requested the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to select a venue outside Ghana for the next two qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This follows the withdrawal of approval by the continent’s football-governing body for the use of Baba Yara Sports Stadium for Category 3 matches.
According to the GFA, the decision was made after observations by CAF in the recent AFCON qualifier against Angola.
Ghana lost by a goal to nil.
The nature of the pitch became a talking point after the game, forcing the National Sports Authority (NSA) to shut down the facility for at least one month.
The Black Stars, who have just a point from two games and currently third in Group F, were scheduled to host second-placed Sudan at the venue next month.
The match was expected to serve as a homecoming game for Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah, who captained Asante Kotoko in several matches at that venue during his playing days.
For now, that game is to be played outside the country since no venue meets the standards of the Confederation.
However, it has assured the relevant authorities of conducting “a comprehensive assessment of all major international stadiums in Ghana to ensure they comply with CAF technical standards”.
Stadium managers have also been advised to seek experienced companies immediately to undertake necessary refurbishment to meet CAF/FIFA standards.
