Ghanaians have reacted to the decision of the Confederation of African Football to move Black Stars- Super Eagles World Cup Playoff from Cape Coast Sports Stadium to Baba Yana Stadium in Kumasi.
Ghana’s Black Stars played their entire world cup qualifiers and African Cup of Nations qualifier home games at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, but the move to use it for the nation’s 65th Independence Day celebration left it in bad shape.
The Football Governing has now been forced to grant the Baba Yana Sports Stadium in Kumasi the approval to host the clash .
Bernard Abeiku Okyere, a Cape Coast based journalist spoke to Brila FM on how the people of that City reacted the news of change of venue.
He said : “This meant alot to the people of Cape Coast. It meant that their tourist sites were going to improve and the economy as well, because when you come to Cape Coast, what you see around are schools, a bit of Hotels and also major business around .”
“These areas that were expected to grow during the Nigeria and Black Stars clash. They are sad, they don’t want to take about it anymore. They felt the authority in charge have let them down.”
“They are blaming the National Sports Authority, who they feel should have advised the government or probably the Ministry of youth and Sports in relation to bringing the match here , because they feel the activities would be improved.”
“This meant alot to the people of cape coast. It meant that their tourist sites were going to improve and the economy as well, because when you come to Cape Coast, what you see around are schools, a bit of hotels and also major business around .”
“These areas that were expected to grow during the nigeria and black stars clash. They are sad, they don’t want to take about it anymore.”
“They felt the authority in charge have let them down. They are blaming the national sports authority,who they feel should have advised the government or probably the ministry of youth and sports in relation to bringing the match here , because they feel the activities would be improved.” He said .
Nana Ohene Brenya, a journalist in Accra who also spoke to Brila FM, hailed the decision, but insists a lot of publicity has to be done to bring fans to the Stadium, following the poor performance of the Black Stars at the last African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
“It’s a good venues because we haven’t played football there in a long while and there will be new spectators ready to cheer the team.”
“Again, a lot promotion needs to be done to bring people to the stadium, considering the fact that Ghana didn’t do well at the Nations Cup .”
“It a much bigger and better venue than the one in Cape Coast and I think the players will have doubt in their mind playing for the Ghana. So for me, it’s a good news.” He said.
