Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has expressed profound disappointment over the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to ban the Baba Yara Sports Stadium from hosting international matches.
In a statement, Ablakwa described the ban as a significant international embarrassment for Ghana. He criticized the decision, noting that it affects a nation historically revered as a football powerhouse in Africa.
“It’s a monumental international embarrassment to us as a country. If Ghana wants to play a home match now, we must travel to Togo or another neighbouring country. Ghana is a football powerhouse in Africa,” Ablakwa said.
He lamented Ghana’s decline from its former footballing glory, referencing past achievements such as winning the Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympics.
During the early 1980s, when we won Africa Cup titles, many countries did not even qualify for the tournaments in which we dominated. This is a testament to the historical significance of Ghana’s football achievements, a legacy that we should all take pride in.
Ghana has a track record of winning World Cups, African Cups, and Olympic medals, achievements many African nations could only dream of. Shockingly, a country with such a rich football history lacks a FIFA-standard pitch.”
Last week, CAF announced it had revoked its conditional approval for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to host Black Stars matches, citing issues with the pitch’s quality and drainage.
As a result, Ghana is now faced with the urgent task of finding alternative venues for its upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying doubleheader against Sudan. Togo or Côte d’Ivoire are the likely options, but the need for a swift resolution is undeniable.
