Former Black Stars of Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has said it is a national embarrassment for the senior men’s national team to play their 2025 AFCON qualifiers in another country.
Reacting to reports that the Black Stars could play the remainder of their qualifying home fixtures in another country, Appiah condemned the move.
“Playing a qualifier outside Ghana, except in a tournament, is a national embarrassment,” Appiah wrote on X. “We must prioritize hosting our own games and protect our football pride.”
The Black Stars are likely to host their remaining 2025 AFCON home qualifiers outside of Ghana following CAF’s rejection of their home venue, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
CAF’s inspection team had deemed the stadium not suitable for competitive matches flagging the major structural concerns, which include poor drainage, uneven playing surfaces, and uneven grass cover.
With other Ghanaian venues like the Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadiums also failing to meet CAF’s standards, the country is left without an approved stadium for their upcoming qualifiers.
The football governing body has directed Ghana to secure an alternative venue for their matchday three and four fixtures in October outside the country.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria, has now emerged as the most likely option due to its closeness.
Also, other stadiums under consideration include Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Stade de la Paix, Cameroon’s Japoma Stadium in Douala, and the Berkane Municipal Stadium in Morocco.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is expected to announce its final decision within the coming days.
In their opening fixtures in the AFCON qualifiers, the Black Stars lost 1-0 to Angola and drew 1-1 with Niger Republic.
The defeat to Angola led to fans throwing invading the pitch and throwing objects.
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They claimed that they have 24 hours (I doubt), but they don’t have standard stadium to play their home matches, what an irony.