|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, may be forced to play their remaining home games in Nigeria following a recent ban on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed the ban after citing safety and infrastructural deficiencies at the stadium.
This development has put the Black Stars in a difficult position, as the Baba Yara Stadium has been the team’s primary home ground for key international fixtures.
The decision has led the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to explore alternative venues, with neighboring Nigeria emerging as a likely option. Reports suggest that the GFA has held discussions with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to host matches at Lagos’ Teslim Balogun Stadium or the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Also read: Inflation in August 2024 falls slightly to 20.4%.
Both stadiums have met CAF’s stringent standards and could serve as temporary homes for the Black Stars as they complete their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
This move would be unprecedented for Ghana, as the team has always played its home matches on home soil. However, with the urgency of CAF’s requirements and the need to secure a venue that meets international standards, playing in Nigeria may be the best option available. The GFA is eager to ensure that the team’s preparations and performances are not negatively impacted, as they aim to secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON.
Fans are understandably concerned about the impact of playing home games outside of Ghana, especially given the role that home support has played in the Black Stars’ success over the years. However, the GFA has assured supporters that the team will remain focused and that efforts are being made to restore the Baba Yara Stadium to a state that meets international standards as soon as possible.
