It’s a national embarrassment – Stephen Appiah reacts to CAF withdrawing approval for Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Former Ghanaian footballer, Stephen Appiah, has reacted to the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The African Football regulatory body in a letter cited technical violations, including an unsuitable playing field, as the main reasons for withdrawing the approval of the stadium based in Kumasi Ghana.

This was after CAF’s observations during Ghana’s match against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on September 5, 2024, when the Black Stars lost 1-0. After reviewing the stadium, CAF concluded that it did not meet the standards required for hosting Category 3 international matches.

Among the specific issues were an uneven playing surface, poor drainage, and inadequate grass coverage.

“It is important to note that, prior to the match, CAF had raised concerns about the suitability of Baba Yara Sports Stadium for hosting top-tier international fixtures. Similar concerns have also been noted at other venues in Ghana, such as the Cape Coast Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium,” CAF stated in a letter.

Reacting to this in an X post, the former Black Stars captain described the situation as a national embarrassment.

“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,” Stephen Appiah wrote on X.

Many Ghanaian football fans have also expressed their unhappiness via social media posts.

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. pic.twitter.com/oFeYZYXDKr

— Stephen Appiah (@StephenAppiah) September 12, 2024