The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn its approval for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, due to several technical violations, including an inadequate playing field.
This decision followed CAF’s inspection during the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match between Ghana and Angola on September 5, 2024. Based on their findings, CAF determined that the stadium no longer meets the standards required for Category 3 international matches.
CAF officials identified multiple concerns, particularly the deteriorating condition of the playing field, which featured uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and insufficient grass coverage, making it unsuitable for competitive play.
Despite its history of hosting major events such as World Cup qualifiers and AFCON matches, CAF criticized the current state of the 40,000-capacity stadium, urging Ghanaian authorities to invest in upgrading the facility to meet international standards.
CAF’s letter also referenced previous warnings about the stadium’s condition, noting similar concerns at other venues in Ghana, including the Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadiums.
As Ghana currently lacks any other CAF-approved Category 3 stadiums, CAF has asked the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to choose an alternative venue from those approved outside of Ghana for Matchday 3 and 4 of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
CAF also recommended a full assessment of Ghana’s international stadiums to ensure they comply with its technical standards. Additionally, they suggested that the stadium management hire experienced companies to carry out the necessary renovations and meet CAF/FIFA guidelines.
CAF assured its willingness to support the GFA by providing an international pitch consultant, experienced in major competitions like AFCON, to guide the improvements.
The GFA would bear the cost of this assistance.
Once the renovations are complete, CAF will conduct an independent inspection, at the GFA’s request, to re-evaluate the stadium for future use.
With this approval withdrawn, Ghana must now seek alternative venues for upcoming international matches, including AFCON qualifiers. The GFA has committed to working with the government to address these issues and restore the stadium’s standing.
