Dreams FC coach Abdul Karim Zito believes the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) recent ban on Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium could push the country’s football authorities to address long-standing issues with the facility.
CAF withdrew its approval of the stadium, citing “persistent issues” with the pitch, which now forces Ghana to seek alternative venues for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The ban has left the Ghana Football Association (GFA) scrambling to find a suitable stadium outside the country for upcoming matches.
The veteran coach who also manages the national U19 team, sees this ban as a necessary step to prompt reforms. He pointed out that poor pitches are affecting player performance, especially for Black Stars players accustomed to high-quality surfaces abroad.
READ MORE: GFA seeks new venue for Black Stars’ AFCON Qualifier after Baba Yara Stadium ban
“Our players are used to quality pitches outside, so they feel uncomfortable when they come home to play, as they are afraid of getting injured,” Zito told Joy Sports. He highlighted the Angola match as an example, where a poor pitch led to Abdul Mumin’s mistake, resulting in a goal.
Karim Zito emphasized that this setback should drive authorities to improve the state of football infrastructure. “For these reasons, I’m okay with the CAF ban because it will force us to do the right thing,” he added, hopeful that this action will finally bring about change.
