The deplorable state of the Baba Yara Stadium got here beneath the highlight following the Black Stars’ AFCON qualifier in opposition to Angola final Thursday.
Otto Addo’s aspect misplaced 1-0 to the Palancas Negras of their opening qualifying sport, with many attributing the defeat to the deplorable state of the pitch.
Baba Yara Sports Stadium now not match to host worldwide matches
Now that CAF has dominated that the Baba Yara Stadium doesn’t meet the required commonplace for internet hosting Category 3 worldwide matches, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a race in opposition to time to safe a venue for the nationwide staff’s subsequent dwelling task.
The continent’s soccer governing physique has additionally directed the GFA to pick out an alternate venue from amongst these authorised by CAF outdoors Ghana for subsequent month’s AFCON qualifiers.
With this in thoughts, Pulse Sports has compiled a listing of nations that would present commonplace stadiums for Ghana to host their subsequent dwelling sport, albeit overseas.
Nigeria
As embarrassing because it sounds, Ghana might discover themselves on the doorstep of rivals Nigeria because the seek for an alternate venue begins.
It’s not like Nigeria are superior in the case of sustaining sports activities infrastructure, however they’re presently in a much better scenario than Ghana. Not solely is the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja ok to host worldwide commonplace matches, however the stunning Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the place the Super Eagles not too long ago hosted Benin in an AFCON qualifier, can also be a viable venue.
Ivory Coast
Fresh from internet hosting the 2023 AFCON, Ivory Coast have a number of stadiums that meet CAF/FIFA’s required requirements.
Six world-class stadiums within the nation had been used for the AFCON, together with the Alassane Ouattara Stadium and Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, they usually stay in excellent form.
With Ghana sharing a border with the Ivory Coast, the nation might come to the Black Stars’ rescue with a venue for his or her subsequent dwelling sport.
Morocco
Morocco are distant in North Africa however boast glorious services and have typically been charitable sufficient to permit different nations to play their dwelling matches there.
Recently, Ghana’s AFCON qualifier in opposition to Niger was performed on the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco because of the latter’s incapability to host their matches of their dwelling nation. Maybe, Ghana may be following swimsuit after CAF withdrew its approval of the Baba Yara Stadium.
Mali
Should Ghana resolve to not journey very far for his or her dwelling video games overseas, Mali could possibly be another choice. Mali has invested quite a bit into their sports activities infrastructure and their reward is having a number of world-class pitches.
When the Black Stars confronted the Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in June, the sport was performed on the Stadium du 26 Mars in Bamako. Given that Ghana received that sport, the GFA might take into account enjoying there once more in its place dwelling venue.
South Africa
Just like Morocco, South Africa are blessed with many good stadiums and are sometimes open to letting different international locations in misery use their services.
The distance could be a difficulty however there are actually many worldwide commonplace stadiums in South Africa that Ghana can undertake for his or her dwelling matches. The Orlando Stadium in Soweto, the FNB Stadium and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium are all choices to select from.