CAF approves Baba Yara Stadium for Ghana vs Nigeria playoff game

The Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi will host the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff game between Ghana and Nigeria.

This comes after the stadium was granted a one-match approval by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the big game.

The Black Stars will host the Super Eagles next week before travelling to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja for the return fixture.

The first leg is scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2022, while the second leg will take place on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

The Cape Coast Stadium was originally supposed to host the first leg in Ghana, but the ground was deemed unfit to host the game after Ghana’s 65th Independence Day parade was held there.

A statement from CAF’s Development Officer, Raul Chipenda and sent to the General Secretary of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq. and copied to FIFA, CAF said a one-match approval has been granted for the Baba Yara Stadium to be used for the playoff game.

Read the full statement below:

Reference to the CAF stadium inspection conducted to Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round match, Ghana Vs. Nigeria scheduled for the 25th of March 2022, following the analysis of the report we have taken the following decision:

· Grant a one-match approval for the use of Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round match Ghana Vs. Nigeria;

· Upon conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff round match, the stadium is automatically removed from the list of CAF approved stadiums and will only be approved for any subsequent CAF/FIFA international senior national teams matches and CAF men’s interclubs competitions following the implementation of all the CAF remarks”.

The letter further stated that the following conditions must be met before the match against Nigeria. They include:

· Installation of new international standard, modern and comfortable officials’ benches at pitch level;

· Adjustment of the floodlight intensity. A minimum of 1200 Lux should be provided all over the pitch, covering uniformly every area of the playing field;

· Increase seating and lockers in the teams dressing rooms to reach (25) persons;

· Installation of completely new modern equipment and materials in the referees dressing rooms and ensure that is equipped with all the necessary materials and CAF requirements;

· Set up the water system to provide both cold and hot water in the teams and officials dressing room;

· General refurbishment of the CAF office, installation of modern desks and seats, including the necessary electronic and working equipment;

· VOC must be available and equipped with all the necessary equipment and requirements;

· Complete refurbishment of the media tribune, press conference room and media centre, installing new and modern equipment.

· In order to follow the progress of the above-mentioned works in the stadium, CAF will designate a stadium inspector to conduct an onsite assessment up till the day of the upcoming FIFA match.

CAF again stated that there shall be an onsite stadium inspector to conduct further assessment of the facility until the day of the match and in the event that the above mentioned conditions are not met before the match; financial sanctions shall be imposed on Ghana.

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