The Black Stars of Ghana will have to play at another venue in Kumasi or Accra after being told the Cape Coast Sports Stadium will not be available for their crucial 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoffs first-leg with Nigeria later in March.
The National Sports Authority (NSA), in a letter addressed to the Sports Minister and copied to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Tuesday, January 25, said the Cape Coast facility is earmarked for the commemoration of Ghana’s 65th Independence Anniversary on March 6.
As a result, the venue will be closed down to allow for preparatory works and won’t also be available even after 18 days around which the Black Stars will be hosting the Super Eagles.
“I respectfully write to inform you of the decision by the State Protocol at the Jubilee House to hold this year’s Independence Anniversary Celebration at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on March 6, 2022.
“…the Ghana Football Association is accordingly informed of this decision and advised to resort to other venues preferably Baba Yara Sports Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium respectively for the March 2022 Fifa World Cup playoff qualifier between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
“In view of this, the Cape Coast Sports Stadium will be closed down to sporting activities to enable exterior and beautification works to be done for the Commemoration,” read the letter signed by NSA Director-General Peter Twumasi.
Ghana and Nigeria are scheduled to face off in a two-legged tie between March 23 and 29. The winner on aggregate picks one of Africa’s five slots to this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
