- Derek Boateng has lambasted the GFA
- He's not happy CAF has banned the Baba Yara Sports Stadium
- The stadium was banned due to the poor condition of its pitch
Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has lambasted the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for prioritizing financial gains over the well-being of players and the quality of playing fields.
His criticism comes in the wake of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banning the Baba Yara Sports Stadium due to the poor condition of its pitch.
The stadium, which hosted Ghana’s recent match against Angola, was deemed unsuitable for international matches, necessitating a complete reconstruction.
CAF has also recommended a comprehensive assessment of all major stadiums in Ghana to ensure they meet its technical standards.
This decision has limited Ghana’s options for hosting future matches, with countries like Togo, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast emerging as potential venues for the upcoming game against Sudan in October.
Derek Boateng expressed his disappointment with the situation, challenging the GFA to address the issue promptly. “If they care about football, they have to make sure those things [fixing pitches] are done before the players will come [October],” he stated.
The Sports Ministry has since directed the National Sports Authority (NSA) to take immediate steps to rectify the pitch at the Baba Yara Stadium.
However, the NSA’s reliance on renting out national stadiums for revenue has often led to the neglect of facility maintenance.
Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, is currently facing challenges in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, having secured only one point from two matches. A victory against Sudan in October is crucial for their hopes of progressing in the tournament.
