CAF President Patrice Motsepe has voiced his frustration over national teams being forced to play outside their home countries due to inadequate sports facilities.
His comments follows CAF’s recent decision to ban Ghana from hosting home matches at the Baba Yara Stadium because of the stadium’s poor pitch condition.
The ban leaves Ghana without an approved venue for home games, placing the country among several nations forced to play their matches abroad.
Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku was present when Motsepe addressed the issue at a CAF meeting in Kenya.
“Nothing frustrates me more than a national team or club side having to play home matches outside,” Motsepe stated during a press briefing in Nairobi. He highlighted the importance of home fans in the development of football, adding, “You can’t grow football if the national teams or club sides aren’t playing in front of their home fans.”
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Patrice Motsepe also pointed out CAF’s ongoing efforts to ensure that every country has at least one stadium suitable for hosting category C matches.
“Our conversations in every country are to make sure there is at least one stadium capable of hosting a CAF category C game,” he explained.
Ghana now faces a crucial AFCON qualifying doubleheader against Sudan in October, with Togo or Ivory Coast likely serving as alternative venues for their “home” match.
