Ghana is exploring alternative venues, including Togo, to host its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan due to a CAF ban on its major sports stadia.
Following CAF’s assessment that key venues like the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Accra Sports Stadium, and Cape Coast Stadium are unfit for international matches, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a tight deadline with the match scheduled in a month.
Togo’s national stadium, which meets CAF’s standards, is being considered as a potential host. Additionally, Ivory Coast is also being explored, given its historical support for Ghanaian football.
The GFA aims to resolve the stadium issue promptly, but playing the crucial home match abroad remains a serious possibility. Ghana’s dire need to secure points—after losses to Angola and Niger—adds urgency to the situation. The Black Stars must achieve back-to-back victories against Sudan to improve their standing in the qualifiers.
Ghanaian businesses face a significant setback due to the CAF ban on the country’s major sports stadia. International football matches typically drive substantial economic benefits across various sectors. These include domestic air travel for teams and officials, land transport services for fans, and revenue from hotel accommodations, catering, and professional services such as legal, medical, translation, and security. Local businesses also benefit from increased recreational activities and other economic ventures tied to match days. The income generated from these activities, which largely stays within the country, supports livelihoods and bolsters the local economy.
