Ghana vs Nigeria: CAF set to settle on Baba Yara stadium for the World Cup playoff

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to choose the Baba Yara sports stadium as the match venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff between Ghana and Nigeria on March 25.

This comes following concerns raised about the current state of the pitch of the originally chosen Cape Coast sports stadium. The pitch of the Cape Coast stadium reduced the minimum quality after the Government decided to use it to host Ghana’s 65th Independence Day parade on Sunday, 6th of March despite the stadium having been submitted by the GFA to CAF as the venue for the March 25 World Cup playoff against Nigeria.

The situation raised an eyebrow and CAF sent down inspection team to assess the state of the pitch, and to monitor other alternative venues in the country for a possible relocation of the match.

The CAF inspection then team then acted upon their assignment, and on Sunday, March 13, went to inspect the state of the Kumasi Baba Yara sports stadium pitch, and the locker rooms as well as other parts of the facility, and seems satisfied with the condition of the stadium, despite minor concerns. The inspection team will continue the exercise on Monday, March 14 at the Cape Coast stadium for a final inspection after which reports and recommendations would be sent to CAF for final decision.

Based on the observations made during the inspections at the Baba Yara stadium, a much more concrete decision on the the venue switch beckons, and we have our fingers crossed as we await the outcome of the inspection at the Cape Coast stadium followed by a final decision of CAF on the matter.

Chances are that, CAF, along with FIFA, in case of rejection of the Cape Coast sports stadium for the crucial game, may grant Ghana special dispensation to play at the Baba Yara sports stadium, or strictly trigger the regulations which could mean the game would be moved to a neutral grounds outside Ghana.