The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revoked its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, citing several technical issues, including an unsuitable playing field. This decision follows CAF’s observations during the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola on September 5, 2024.
The stadium was deemed unfit to host Category 3 international matches, with the playing field being a significant concern. The field was found to be in poor condition, featuring uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover, all of which failed to meet CAF’s required standards.
The Baba Yara Stadium, with a seating capacity of over 40,000, has been a venue for many prestigious matches, including World Cup qualifiers and AFCON games. However, CAF officials expressed disappointment at its current state, urging Ghanaian authorities to invest in upgrades.
A letter from CAF noted that prior concerns had been raised about the stadium’s condition, along with issues at other major venues in Ghana, such as Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium. With no other CAF-approved Category 3 stadiums in the country, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been asked to choose an alternative venue outside Ghana for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers.
CAF also recommended a thorough assessment of all major international stadiums in Ghana to ensure they meet CAF’s technical standards. They encouraged stadium management to engage experienced companies to handle the necessary refurbishments. CAF offered to support Ghana by providing an international pitch consultant to guide the renovation process, with costs covered by the GFA.
Once renovations are complete, CAF will conduct an independent inspection, at the GFA’s request, to determine the stadium’s suitability for future matches. This withdrawal of approval means Ghana will need to find alternative venues for upcoming international fixtures. The GFA has pledged to work with the government to address the issues and restore the stadium to its previous status.
GFA Communications
