Former Black Stars player Derek Boateng has voiced his concerns about Ghana’s current “stadium situation,” highlighting the unfortunate reality that the country lacks a CAF-approved venue to host senior-level international matches.

At the time of his remarks, the Baba Yara Stadium was the only facility eligible to host international games, including Ghana’s upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan in October. However, following Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Angola at the stadium, CAF has banned the venue due to poor facility conditions, leaving Ghana without an approved stadium. Consequently, the national team will have to play their “home” game against Sudan at a foreign location, with Côte d’Ivoire emerging as the likely host due to scheduling conflicts with Togo.

In a passionate interview, Boateng criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for its role in this predicament, urging them to prioritize player welfare over financial interests, particularly concerning those connected to the Black Stars. Expressing his dismay, he stated, “It’s so sad that we are in that kind of situation right now. We don’t have to be there. Ghana now has to find a field to play a home game; oh, come on. We are too much for that, so for me, it’s really sad to hear something like that.”

Derek Boateng, who represented Ghana in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, hopes for a swift resolution to the stadium crisis.