‘CAF Has Given Us The Green Light To Host Nigeria At The Baba Yara Stadium…But Final Works Need To Completed For Approval’ – GFA PRO 

Head of Communications for the Ghana Football Association, Mr. Henry Asante Twum, has thrown light on the issues identified by CAF license inspection team at Baba Yara Sports Stadium which was given provisional license to be worked on, for the Black Stars match against their neighborhood rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, in the FIFA World Cup first leg match. 

Ghana has been mocked by Nigerian for not having a standard approved stadium to host their Super Eagles. And this has become a subject of media discussion on several platforms.

In a telephone conversation with Kofi Jerry on “Floodlight Sports Show” at Accra based Angel FM, Mr. Asante stated that CAF will accept the Kumasi Sports Stadium if concerns outlined by the CAF license team are resolved to meet FIFA standards. 

“CAF has given Ghana a tentative license to host Nigeria in the world cup qualifier, just for one game. They pointed out the slight things the FA has to work on at the Baba Yara stadium for the ultimate approval. There are a lot of things we need to do, however the Sports Ministry has started working on it”. 

Mr Asante mentioned that the FA needs to work on the floodlights because it’s luminance doesn’t match up to the international approval standards. We have been instructed to reconstruct our dressing room locker. There must also be indisputable approved distances between the touch line and the dugout. We must also provide both cooled and mellow water in the dressing room.

“Venue Operational Control room (VOC) is not up to standard; we have also been tasked to work on it for security reasons. CAF secretary room at the Baba Yara Stadium must also be worked on. Modern desks and electronic equipment must be fixed in the room. Media stands are currently not fit for purpose, so we have been instructed to create a conducive working environment for journalists.”

The Black Stars of Ghana will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday 25th March, 2022 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, while the return encounter will be played at the Abuja National Stadium in Nigeria. 

Brent Kojo Amenuvor