Ghana’s national team have hit a somewhat expected hurdle ahead of their remaining 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifiers.

After the Confederation of African Football, CAF withdrew its approval of the Baba Yara Stadium their only certified venue the team is now scrambling to find a new home ground.

Baba Yara Stadium, Ghana.

In a surprising turn of events, they might be looking to their West African rivals, Nigeria, for help.

The Baba Yara Stadium, located in Kumasi, has long been under fire for its poor condition. Players, analysts, and coaches alike have expressed frustration with the state of the pitch. Even Ghana’s midfielder, Thomas Partey, has openly pleaded for the renovation of the stadium.

In an appeal during the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic, Partey urged Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, to improve the playing conditions:

“We want to say thank you for coming; we really appreciate it. I have one request from all the players: we are asking for a good stadium because we want to play better football, so we need a better stadium and also for us to perform better.”

Calvin Bassey (back) watches as Thomas Partey and Victor Osimhen contest for the ball during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Abuja. (Photo by Pius Utomi EKPEI / AFP)

CAF’s inspection team recently confirmed what many had feared. After a thorough assessment, they flagged major concerns, including uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and insufficient grass cover.

These deficiencies make the stadium unfit to host competitive matches, a significant blow for Ghana ahead of their crucial AFCON qualifying campaign.

Ghana Without an Approved Stadium

It’s not just Baba Yara that’s fallen short, other major stadiums in Ghana, such as the Cape Coast Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium, have also been flagged for similar shortcomings. This leaves Ghana in a precarious situation, with no approved venue to host their crucial AFCON home matches.

With time running out and critical matches to be played , CAF has officially instructed Ghana to find an alternative stadium outside the country for their Matchday 3 and 4 fixtures, both scheduled for October.

Nigeria to the Rescue?

Surprisingly, Ghana may now turn to Nigeria for a solution. According to reports from Myjoyonline, the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, has emerged as the frontrunner to host the Black Stars’ remaining home games.

The Uyo-based stadium, home to Nigeria’s Super Eagles, is known for its world-class facilities. Its proximity to Ghana and superior infrastructure make it the most convenient and attractive option for the Black Stars.

However, Nigeria isn’t the only option on the table.

Other venues being considered include:

Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Stade de la Paix in Côte d’Ivoire, Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon and Berkane Municipal Stadium in Morocco.

Ghana is expected to finalize its decision and notify CAF in the coming days. Until then, the uncertainty surrounding their home fixtures looms large for the four-time AFCON champions.

Ghana’s Next Match

The Black Stars’ next home fixture is just weeks away, scheduled for October, where they will face Sudan.

The pressure is mounting for the Ghana Football Association, GFA to secure a new home venue before the match.

Nigeria’s Approved Stadium: A Limited Option

Patrice Motsepe (C), the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Veron Mosengo-Omba, CAF general secretary, attend a 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) press conference at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. (Photo by SIA KAMBOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Interestingly, Nigeria’s own stadium situation isn’t without its limitations. CAF has only certified the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers.

This raises broader questions about the state of football infrastructure across Africa.

It leads to an important reflection, how does it reflect on African football when one of the continent’s giants, Nigeria, is operating with only one approved stadium?

Despite the growing prestige of African football globally, the issue of underdeveloped facilities remains a persistent challenge for many national teams.

While Nigeria may step in to temporarily support their Ghanaian counterparts, this situation serves as a stark reminder that more needs to be done to improve football infrastructure across the continent.