Audio By Carbonatix
Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has accused the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of only "caring about money" and not ensuring standard pitches for the Black Stars..
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium, which hosted Ghana's last game against Angola, has been banned by CAF "due to the poor quality of the pitch."
"The current state of the pitch does not meet the standards required for CAF/FIFA senior international matches, necessitating a complete reconstruction."
The African football governing body also "recommends that the relevant authorities conduct a comprehensive assessment of all major international stadiums in Ghana to ensure they comply with CAF technical standards."
This decision leaves Ghana with limited options, and potentially hosting their next game against Sudan in October in Togo, Nigeria, or Ivory Coast.
Derek expressed disappointment with the challenge and dared the FA to fix the issue “if they care about football.”
“It is really said. This job is a huge job. One person cannot do it,” Derek said.
“Everybody has to be part of it but I feel the FA needs to wake up and do something because this is their job, to make sure that all the fields are good for the players to play.
“The only thing they care about is money. We have players coming from Europe in a good field. They will come and play in a sh**t pitch and you expect them to perform well and win games?
"If the FA care about football, they have to make sure those things [fixing pitches] are done before the players will come [October]."
Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry released a statement, 'directing' the National Sports Authority, to "take steps to resolve issues with the pitch" at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Renting out national stadiums has become the NSA's primary source of income, but the practice has proven counterproductive, as the facilities are often left in a deplorable state.
The Black Stars come up against Sudan on October, 11 hoping for their first win of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after picking up one point from two matches.
Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Angola before a 1-1 draw against Niger, leaving them third in Group F with just one point.
Latest Stories
-
Jospong Group CEO, wife support over 5,000 Ghanaians with food, cash on New Year’s Day
24 minutes -
Life begins at 40: A reflection on experience and leadership
1 hour -
Maresca leaves Chelsea after turbulent end to 2025
1 hour -
NPP still hurting after 2024 loss – Justin Kodua
2 hours -
Ghana declares war on illegal streaming of pay-TV content
2 hours -
Vice President leads 44th anniversary commemoration of 31st December Revolution
2 hours -
Valencia coach Fernando Martin dies in Indonesia boat accident
2 hours -
Nigeria AG’s intervention brings relief to River Park estate investors – JonahCapital
2 hours -
High number of youth behind bars is a national loss – Ashanti regional prisons commander
2 hours -
Nhyira Aboodoo shifts to monumental projects, injects GH₵270,000 into Ashanti orphanages
2 hours -
Police restores calm after swoop operation at Aboso
3 hours -
Through thick and thin in 2025: KGL Group makes national, global impact
3 hours -
Clean Air Fund sets 2026 targets, pushing gov’t toward funding, tougher laws and real health gains on air pollution
3 hours -
New Year begins with 15.92% water and 9.86% electricity tariff hikes
3 hours -
TUC, PURC call for calm amid power tariff concerns, assure public of stakeholder engagement
4 hours
