Ghana is set to play Sudan in its third qualifying match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on October 11, 2024. However, following a ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that prevents the country from using the Baba Yara Sports Stadium due to substandard facilities, Ghana faces the prospect of hosting the game in neighboring Nigeria or Côte d’Ivoire.
This may deprive the country of significant business opportunities linked to hosting international matches. International football games serve as a major economic engine, generating revenue across multiple sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transportation, and professional services.
The influx of fans and teams boosts local businesses – from hotels and restaurants to transport providers and security services.
The ban however has quickened the National Sports Authority (NSA) to quickly make other stadia suitable to host the games. The Board Chairman, Seth Panwum, has however sought to allay fears by confirming that Ghana will still host the crucial match.
He assured a Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Culture, and Tourism that either the Cape Coast Stadium or Accra Sports Stadium would be ready to accommodate the match. Despite his optimism, the delay in stadium renovations poses a risk of further disruptions.
CAF’s ban comes at a time when Ghana’s sports infrastructure is under intense scrutiny, and the economic consequences of losing the ability to host international matches are profound.
By losing the opportunity to host, Ghana would forfeit millions of cedis in potential revenue, which would instead flow to neighboring countries. With the nation already grappling with economic challenges and high living costs, this missed opportunity adds pressure to an economy that could benefit from the business activity that international football generates.
The ban, driven by poor stadium maintenance and inadequate investment in sports infrastructure, not only threatens immediate revenue but also risks diminishing long-term interest in Ghana’s sports sector. If CAF’s decision holds, Ghana’s ability to host future events could be jeopardized, further limiting business growth in the sector.
Panwum’s insistence that the renovations at Cape Coast and Accra will be ready offers hope, but the clock is ticking. Should Ghana fail to meet CAF’s standards in time, the country could miss out on both critical sporting events and the business opportunities they bring.
