A monumental embarrassment awaits Ghana, after the Confederation of African Football withdrew approval for the use of the Baba Yara Stadium for AFCON Qualifiers.

The CAF inspection team, on their last visit to Ghana, identified several issues, including a playing field that was deemed unsuitable for competitive matches. Uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover were some of the issues raised.

According to CAF, persistent issues at the venue, as well as others in Ghana, such as Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium have resulted in the continent’s governing body asking Ghana to select an alternative venue from among those approved outside Ghana, for Matchday 3 and 4 of the AFCON qualifiers in October.

In light of this, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, seems like the most likely alternative for Ghana, according to Joy Sports sources.

Largely due to its close proximity to Ghana, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and two other likely alternatives, in the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny and the Stade de la Paix, both in Côte d’Ivoire, are being seriously considered.

Other options for Ghana will be Cameroon’s Japoma Stadium, located in Douala and the Berkane Municipal Stadium, in Morocco, where Ghana played Niger.

Ghana is expected to make their decision known to CAF within the coming days.

Source: JoyNews

The Black Stars of Ghana failed to pick up a win in their second game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Otto Addos’ boys were held to a 1-1 draw on Monday, September 9, in Berkane, Morocco.

Otto Addo made two changes to the Black Stars’ starting lineup that lost to Angola last Thursday with Majeed Ashimeru and Inaki Williams coming in for Elisha Owusu and Jordan Ayew.

Alidu Seidu opened the scoring in the 44th minute of the game firing a swerving effort past the Niger goalkeeper.

Prior to his goal, Inaki Williams should have broken the deadlock in the first minute of the game but his header after 26 seconds was saved by the goalkeeper.

Lawrence Ati-Zigi was forced into a save in the 16th minute of the encounter as he parried away a long-range effort.

Mohammed Kudus also came close to getting on the scoresheet but his effort was also thwarted.

Ghana took the 1-0 goal lead into the break.

Kudus was close to doubling the lead after recess following a pass from Inaki Williams but the goalkeeper was on hand to deny the West Ham United star.

Minutes later, it was the Athletic Bilbao forward who burst forward after being played through by Mohammed Salisu.

However, his close-range shot with his weaker foot was pushed away by the opposition’s goalkeeper.

With 10 minutes to go, Oumar Sako levelled the score for the Mena after a scramble in the Black Stars box.

Niger, following their equaliser, held on to ensure the game ended in a stalemate.

The result means Ghana picked up just one point in their opening two games of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Source: Joy Sports

The Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority, Bawa Majeed, has responded to criticism about the state of the Baba Yara Stadium, ironically asking whether Angola “were playing in the sky” against Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The pitch had already come under scrutiny before the match, with images circulating on social media highlighting its poor condition.

After the game, Ghana coach Otto Addo defended center-back Abdul Mumin’s mistake, attributing it in part to the pitch, which he described as “not good.”

“Are they suggesting that the Angolans were playing in the sky? They are all footballers,” Bawa told Asempa FM.

“Those they assembled to play against the Black Stars are professionals. We assembled our professionals. They all played on the same pitch. So CAF has inspected the pitch and approved it for the game.

“Let’s just look at what happened. We might not be coaches but we follow and understand football. We all suspected and wanted, even the fans themselves were agitating for change in the 60th minute.”

Angola head coach Pedro Goncalves had criticised the state of the stadium despite his team’s victory, insisting that “a country like Ghana deserves a better pitch and a better national stadium.”

The poor condition of the turf was due to a five-day ‘Kumuyi’ Church program held at the stadium in July.

Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Ghana in third place, with Angola and Sudan occupying the first and second spots in Group F, respectively.

The Black Stars will look to bounce back in their next match against Niger on Monday, September 9.

Source: JoyNews

The Black Stars of Ghana began their qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a defeat against Angola.

Milson came off the bench to score the only goal for the Palancreas Negras to break the hearts of Ghanaians at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday.

The 1-0 defeat is the first time Ghana has lost an opening game in the qualifiers for an AFCON in a long time.

Otto Addo’s side found it difficult to break down the defence of the Palancras Negras in the first half with the only shot on target coming in the 33rd minute.

Mohammed Kudus was on the end of the effort after a round from an Antoine Semenyo attack fell to him, pushing the Angolan keeper into the game’s first save.

Both teams went into the break with no goals recorded in the fixture.

The Black Stars came back from recess on the stronger side with Kudus firing another effort but it was far from troubling the goalkeeper.

In the 56th minute of the game, Semenyo also broke the deadlock for Ghana but his well-struck effort was parried away once again by the goalkeeper to deny the in-form Bournemouth forward.

Lawrence Ati-Zigi was called into action for the first time in the 65th minute when he tipped over the crossbar Mabululu’s shot.

The St. Gallen goalkeeper came up big again in the 78th minute to deny substitute Milson from opening the score.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s first real involvement came in the 80th minute but his trademark curling effort was too close to the Angola keeper who made a simple save.

Substitute Joseph Paintsil thought he had given Ghana the lead in the 88th minute but his header went into the hands of Neblu.

Just when the game seemed to be heading for a draw, Milson scored the winner in the 95th minute.

The winger pounced on a failed clearance in the Black Stars box as he tapped into the net to break the deadlock.

The defeat sees Ghana’s 24 years unbeaten record in Kumasi come to an end.

Addo’s side will now turn their attention to the game against Niger on Monday.

Source: Joy News