Former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng has harshly criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for prioritizing financial gains over ensuring quality playing conditions, as the national team struggles to find a venue for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.
This criticism follows the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revoking the approval for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium due to poor pitch quality, leaving Ghana scrambling to secure an alternative venue.
In an interview with 3Sports, Boateng expressed frustration with the GFA’s negligence: "The FA needs to wake up and do something because this is their job. They only care about money."
He further emphasized how substandard pitches impact the players: “We have the players, but the pitch is the problem. These players are used to training and playing on top-quality surfaces abroad, and when they come here, they have to readjust after just a couple of days. It’s part of why they struggle in our games, even when they win.”
Boateng’s remarks have intensified the debate on the GFA’s management of facilities, with the federation now under pressure to resolve the issue before Ghana’s crucial AFCON qualifier.
In response, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced that both the Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium are ready to host the match in October. However, CAF’s approval is still required for the venues to be used.
