Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA), accusing them of prioritizing money over ensuring proper playing conditions for the Black Stars.
His remarks come after the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was banned by CAF due to the poor quality of the pitch, which was deemed unfit for international matches.
CAF’s decision to ban the stadium followed Ghana’s match against Angola and pointed out that the pitch did not meet the standards required for CAF/FIFA senior international games. The governing body further recommended a comprehensive assessment of all major stadiums in Ghana to ensure they comply with technical standards.
With the ban in place, Ghana faces the possibility of hosting their next 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan in Togo, Nigeria, or Ivory Coast. Boateng expressed his frustration, challenging the GFA to fix the situation if they truly care about the sport.
“It’s really sad. This is a huge task, and one person cannot do it,” Boateng remarked. “The GFA needs to wake up and ensure that the pitches are in good condition for the players. They only seem to care about money. Players come from Europe, where they play on good fields, but then arrive here and have to perform on poor pitches. How do you expect them to perform well and win games?”
He added that if the GFA cares about football, they should prioritize fixing the pitches before the October match. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports has directed the National Sports Authority (NSA) to take immediate steps to resolve the issues with the Baba Yara Stadium pitch.
The ongoing practice of renting out national stadiums for other events has left the facilities in poor condition, as revenue generation has become the NSA’s main focus.
Ghana’s next match against Sudan is set for October 11, with the Black Stars hoping to secure their first win in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Ghana is currently third in Group F, with just one point after a 1-0 loss to Angola and a 1-1 draw with Niger.
