Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah has expressed his dismay at the possibility of Ghana hosting its next 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match abroad, calling it a “national embarrassment.”
This follows the recent ban imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium due to an “unsuitable playing field.”
The stadium, which last hosted Ghana’s match against Angola, is now deemed unfit for international matches.
Stephen Appiah voiced his concerns, noting that it would be humiliating for Ghana to have to play its home game outside the country. Ghana is now left with limited options, with Togo, Nigeria, or Ivory Coast being considered as potential venues for the upcoming qualifier against Sudan in October.
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“Playing a qualifier outside Ghana, except in a tournament, is a national embarrassment. We must prioritize hosting our own games and protect our football pride,” the former Ghana midfielder wrote on X.
In response to the situation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to seek approval from CAF to host the match at the Accra Sports Stadium or the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
