AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Ghana’s Venue Crisis Deepens as CAF Ban Forces Black Stars to Consider Nigeria as Alternative Host

The Ghana national football team, the Black Stars, is facing a severe venue crisis after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) withdrew its approval for the use of the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The CAF decision was influenced by multiple structural and maintenance issues identified during a recent inspection, including an uneven playing surface, inadequate drainage, and poor grass cover.

These concerns have left the Black Stars without an officially approved venue for their crucial upcoming qualifiers.

The Baba Yara Stadium is not the only venue facing issues. Similar problems have been reported at other Ghanaian stadiums, including the Cape Coast Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium.

This has forced the Ghana Football Association to scramble for an alternative venue to host their remaining home matches.

In response to the CAF ban, the Ghana Football Association has been instructed to secure an alternative venue for their Matchday 3 and 4 fixtures, scheduled for October.

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, has emerged as a leading candidate to host these games.

Other potential venues under consideration include:

• Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire
• Stade de la Paix in Cameroon
• Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon
• Berkane Municipal Stadium in Morocco

The Ghana Football Association is expected to make a final decision and notify CAF in the coming days.

The Black Stars are currently in a tough qualifying group, and the loss of their home advantage could severely impact their chances of qualifying for the AFCON 2025 tournament.