The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that CAF (the Confederation of African Football) has moved Ghana’s 2022 World Cup playoff first leg from the Cape Coast Stadium to Kumasi, with the match now set be played at Kumasi Yara Sports Stadium.
The Cape Coast Stadium was initially billed to host the African classic on March 25, en route picking one of Africa’s five representatives to Qatar.
However, the current state of the Cape Coast facility prompted a change in location, with the Confederation of African Football granting a one-match approval for Baba Yara Stadium.
In a letter signed by Caf’s development officer, Raul Chipenda and sent to the general secretary of the GFA, the continental football administrator’s wrote:
“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 and Fifa international senior national teams matches and Caf men’s interclub competitions following the implementation of all the Caf remarks.”
Ex-Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni says it is no big deal if Ghana miss out on qualifying to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar. Ahead of the matches, the former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough striker, believes the tournament needs Nigeria more than Ghana.
''Playing with Ghana is always going to be a big big rivalry because we believe we are the best,'' he said. ''Just imagine Nigeria not qualifying for the World Cup. Ghana not qualifying for the world cup is not a big deal.''
Ghana missed out on the last edition of the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia after failing to progress from their qualifying group. This ended three consecutive appearances between 2006 and 2014.
The second leg, in Nigeria, is on Tuesday March 29.
