Black Stars coach Otto Addo has voiced his concern regarding the recent ban on the Baba Yara Stadium, the sole venue approved for international matches in Ghana.
The ban follows the poor condition of the pitch during the Black Stars’ recent home game against Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. This game ended Ghana’s 24-year unbeaten run at home.
Despite temporary approval from the CAF (Confederation of African Football) to use Baba Yara Stadium for the Angola match, the stadium’s pitch quality has been scrutinised.
After Ghana’s loss, exacerbated by the pitch’s poor condition, the National Sports Authority decided to close the stadium for repairs. However, CAF has issued a formal ban on the venue, citing inadequate standards, leaving the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in a difficult position.
Reacting to the ban on the sidelines of the CAF Coaches Symposium in Ivory Coast, Otto Addo expressed his deep disappointment.
He emphasised the need to focus on achieving results, saying, “First of all, I think if it comes like this, and this is how it looks like, then it’s a pity,” as quoted by African journalist Micky Jnr.
“Surely, we always want to play in front of our home crowd, but at the end of the day, we have to do the best out of the situation, and if we have to play somewhere else, then it’s like that.”
Addo acknowledged the significant challenges posed by the ban but remained pragmatic about the team’s focus, which is a testament to their resilience.
“I don’t want to use my energy to overthink about that. It’s not in our hands, and there’s nothing we can do about that; it’s a CAF decision, and we have to do our best about it,” he said.
In response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has directed the GFA to seek approval from CAF for alternative venues, specifically the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
This move aims to ensure that Ghana has a suitable venue for its next AFCON qualifier against Sudan in October.
The decision underscores the urgent need for Ghana to secure a high-quality venue to meet CAF’s standards and avoid further disruptions in their qualification campaign, highlighting the pressure on the team.
