The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is exploring the possibility of relocating the Black Stars’ home matches to either Côte d’Ivoire or Togo after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) withdrew approval for the use of Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium.
CAF made the decision following concerns over technical issues at the stadium, notably the poor state of the playing field, which featured uneven surfaces and inadequate drainage. These problems came to the forefront during Ghana’s recent 1-0 loss to Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Despite previous warnings from CAF about the venue’s condition, the Baba Yara Stadium failed to meet the required standards for Category 3 international matches, forcing the GFA to find alternative stadiums that meet CAF’s criteria.
The GFA is now considering venues in neighboring countries, with the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Côte d’Ivoire and other facilities in Togo being evaluated for their suitability.
CAF has also urged the GFA to conduct a comprehensive review of all major stadiums in Ghana, recommending the hiring of an international pitch consultant to guide the necessary upgrades at the Baba Yara Stadium. Although CAF has offered technical support, the cost of renovations will be borne by the GFA.
With the Baba Yara Stadium currently closed for refurbishment, the GFA’s decision on a new venue will be pivotal for the Black Stars’ upcoming AFCON qualifiers, including their two-legged tie against Sudan in October.
