Ghana to play remaining AFCON qualifiers in Nigeria following ban on playing at Kumasi stadium

The Ghana Black Stars could play their remaining AFCON 2025 home matches in Nigeria after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) withdrew approval for the use of the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The CAF inspection team, during its last visit to Ghana, noted several issues including a pitch that was deemed unsuitable for competitive matches, uneven surfaces, poor drainage and inadequate grass cover, among others.

According to CAF, ongoing problems at the venue and other venues in Ghana, such as the Cape Coast Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium, have prompted the continent’s governing body to ask the country to select an alternative venue from among those approved outside Ghana, for Matchdays 3 and 4 of the AFCON qualifiers in October.

In light of this, according to Joy Sport sources, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, appears to be the most likely alternative for the Black Stars’ remaining home matches.

In addition to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, other stadiums under consideration include the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny and the Stade de la Paix, both in Ivory Coast, the Japoma Stadium, located in Douala, and the Berkane Municipal Stadium, in Morocco, where Ghana played Niger.

After two matches in the AFCON qualifiers, Ghana have just one point following a 1-0 defeat to Angola and a 1-1 draw with Niger Republic.

At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Ghana were eliminated in the group stage.

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