February 02, (THEWILL) – The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is faced with additional hurdle of securing a venue to host the first leg of the World Cup qualifying playoffs against Nigeria’s Super Eagles after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected the Baba Yara Stadium the FA proposed.
Ghana’s National Sports Authority mandated the GFA to move the game to Accra or Kumasi after the Cape Coast Stadium was unable to host the game due to the country’s Independence Day preparations scheduled for the same Benoit.
However, it now appears that the Ghanaians will have to find another venue or play outside their home stadium because according to the regulations, a three-month notice must be given for a change in venue, date, or kickoff time for a World Cup qualifying game to be effected.
This is according to CAF’s statement to Ghana’s soccer governing body in denying their request. The GFA had confirmed the Cape Coast Stadium as the venue for the Super Eagles’ first leg on CAF’s request in December 2021.
Furthermore, CAF stated that it had already told FIFA that the playoff game would be held in the Cape Coast Stadium, and that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium had not been inspected and hence cannot be allowed to host international games.
As THEWILL reported, Ghana hosts Nigeria in the first of a two-legged World Cup qualifier playoff on March 24 before heading to Abuja for the second game five days later.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
