President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has voiced his frustration over Ghana’s inability to provide a suitable venue for hosting high-level football matches, known as Category 3 games.
According to CAF regulations, Category 3 games require a venue with a seating capacity of at least 30,000 spectators, but Ghana currently lacks such a facility following the recent withdrawal of approval for the Baba Yara Stadium.
The decision came after years of complaints about the stadium’s poor pitch condition, which has deteriorated despite its historical importance as a host venue.
In a speech delivered during a visit to inspect football infrastructure in Kenya, Dr. Motsepe indirectly criticized Ghana’s situation, which many have called "embarrassing."
“You can’t build football in Africa in any country when the National Team and clubs can’t play in front of their nation,” Motsepe said, pointing to the ongoing issue of national teams being forced to play outside their home countries due to substandard facilities. He added, “I’m very clear that we’ve made good success in reducing the number of countries that play outside their countries.”
Ghana is now facing the possibility of playing its upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan in Togo or Côte d'Ivoire due to the stadium's disqualification, sparking widespread criticism.
