Ghana’s Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has rejected claims made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that the country lacks FIFA-standard pitches to host Black Stars matches.
The issue arose following CAF’s recent ban on the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the only venue in Ghana currently approved for international matches.
The ban, which was imposed due to non-compliance with required standards, has left the country scrambling to find an alternative location for the Black Stars’ crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan on 11 October 2024.
Reports have suggested that Ghana may need to play the game outside its borders, with Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Togo being considered as potential hosts.
However, speaking before Parliament’s Sports Select Committee on Tuesday, Sports Minister Ussif challenged CAF’s assessment, insisting that Ghana does possess FIFA-standard pitches in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi.
“It’s not that we don’t have FIFA-standard pitches in Ghana,” Ussif said. “We do have FIFA-standard pitches in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi.”
He further explained that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) had formally requested CAF to inspect the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium as potential alternatives, but they were still awaiting feedback from the continental body.
“We have written to CAF requesting an inspection of the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium, and they have yet to respond,” Ussif added.
With time running out before the qualifier, the possibility remains that Ghana may have to play the match in a neighbouring country.
Nonetheless, the Sports Ministry remains optimistic that CAF will approve one of the local venues before the deadline.
