The country’s football governing body’s chief has rejected suggestions that Fifa has decided to send the playoffs against Super Eagles to another venue
Ghana Football Association executive council member Frederick Acheampong has denied reports that Fifa has rejected Cape Coast Sports Stadium, which is Ghana’s venue for the 2022 World Cup playoffs against Nigeria.
Although, terrible footages of the facility, especially the pitch, circulated on social media last week which raised concerns ahead of the game, reports have suggested that Caf has concluded on rejecting the venue.
On Sunday, representatives from Caf were in Ghana to inspect the facility and first made a stopover at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium which Ghana FA presented as an alternative.
The reps were in Cape Coast on Monday for the final inspections.
“It’s unofficial. Sometimes we here [at Kessben TV/Radio] might report some stories which may end up as false,” Acheampong said on Kessben TV.
“Our media, especially the bloggers, like publishing stories without confirmation or follow-ups. There’s no single quote from FIFA in all the stories I saw earlier in the media landscape.
“They will all do the publication immediately they see it from other sources. It’s unofficial,” he added.
With less than ten days to the game, Ghana’s interim coach Otto Addo is yet to release the squad for the game but Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi has revealed that goalkeeper Richard Ofori has been given a call up.
Reports also suggest that Ghana coach Otto Addo has named Dutch-born of Ghanaian descent Leeroy Owusu in the Black Stars squad to face Nigeria.
The 25-year-old defender is believed to have been called as a replacement to former Dreams FC right-back Philimon Baffour, who is reportedly dropped from the squad after failing to make a single appearance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon.
Owusu, who was born to Ghanaian parents in Netherlands, has previously represented Netherlands at the youth level. However, he has made 23 league appearances for Willem II in Dutch Eredivisie this season and Ghana FA has reportedly succeeded in his national switch with FIFA.
Also, Elisha Owusu and Antoine Semenyo are also believed been called for the game.
During last week, reports emerged that Otto Addo has dropped seven players who were part of the Black Stars squad that participated in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the game.
Notable among the names dropped include Andre Ayew and box-to-box midfielder Wakaso Mubarak who could not kick a ball at the Afcon due to injury concerns.
Ayew, in particular, has been dropped because of suspension as he picked a red card against Comoros in the final game of the group stage at the Afcon.
Also, former Dreams FC player Philimon Baffour who has constantly been chastised by Ghanaians for his inclusion in the Black Stars has finally been dropped alongside RTU midfielder David Abagna Sandan.
Also, Yeni Malatyspor striker Benjamin Tetteh has been dropped following his ban by CAF after he was captured on camera for hitting a Gabonese player at the Afcon.
The others include Great Olympics forward Maxwell Abbey Quaye and St. Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi for poor run of performance. The shot-stopper, in particular, has been constantly conceding goals (44) in 23 games in the Swiss Premier League
