The Ghanaian government has strongly contested the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) claims that the country lacks FIFA-standard pitches suitable for hosting international matches. This response follows CAF’s recent decision to ban the Baba Yara Stadium, the only venue approved for the Black Stars’ matches, due to inadequate standards. As a result, Ghana is now in a rush to find an alternative location for their critical 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan.

Amid reports that Ghana might have to play this match abroad, possibly in Ivory Coast, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has firmly rejected CAF’s assertions. He maintains that Ghana has multiple FIFA-standard pitches, specifically mentioning those in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi.

Ussif noted that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has formally requested CAF to conduct inspections of both the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium but has yet to receive a response. The Sports Ministry remains optimistic that CAF will approve one of these local venues, which would prevent Ghana from having to host the match in a neighboring country.

“It’s not that we don’t have FIFA-standard pitches in Ghana; we do have FIFA-standard pitches in Cape Coast, Accra, and Kumasi,” Ussif emphasized while addressing Parliament’s Sports Select Committee on Tuesday, September 24. “We have written to CAF requesting an inspection of the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium, and they have yet to respond,” he added.