The country’s football governing body in conjunction with National Sports Authority have tediously worked put the facility in an awesome shape ahead of the game on Friday
Ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup playoffs between Ghana and Nigeria on Friday, Ghana government and Ghana Football Association have combined to get Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a very wonderful shape.
A fortnight ago, Fifa and Caf came out with a decision to reject Cape Coast Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Sports Stadium was then given a temporal license to host the first leg of the playoffs but several conditions were attached.
As a result, works serious began and as at Wednesday, almost 90 per cent of the recommendations were ready.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted a one match approval for Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to host the World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off match between Ghana and Nigeria,” a Ghana FA statement read last week Wednesday.
“The approval comes after a CAF Licensing Inspector visited the Baba Yara Sports Stadium last Sunday to inspect the facility.
“In a letter signed by CAF Development Officer, Raul Chipenda and sent to the General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq. and copied to FIFA, CAF stated that:
“Reference to the CAF stadium inspection conducted to Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round match, Ghana Vs. Nigeria scheduled for the 25th of March 2022, following the analysis of the report we have taken the following decision:
“Grant a one-match approval for the use of Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round match Ghana Vs. Nigeria;
Upon conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff round match, the stadium is automatically removed from the list of CAF approved stadiums and will only be approved for any subsequent CAF/FIFA international senior national teams matches and CAF men’s interclubs competitions following the implementation of all the CAF remarks”.
The letter further stated that the following conditions must be met before the match against Nigeria. They include:
Installation of new international standard, modern and comfortable officials’ benches at pitch level;
Adjustment of the floodlight intensity. A minimum of 1200 Lux should be provided all over the pitch, covering uniformly every area of the playing field;
Increase seating and lockers in the teams dressing rooms to reach (25) persons;
Installation of completely new modern equipment and materials in the referees dressing rooms and ensure that is equipped with all the necessary materials and CAF requirements;
Set up the water system to provide both cold and hot water in the teams and officials dressing room;
General refurbishment of the CAF office, installation of modern desks and seats, including the necessary electronic and working equipment;
VOC must be available and equipped with all the necessary equipment and requirements;
Complete refurbishment of the media tribune, press conference room and media centre, installing new and modern equipment.
Meanwhile, Ghana interim coach Otto Addo has announced a 27-man squad for the game with only one local player in the person of Dennis Korsah who plays for Hearts of Oak.
Others include Thomas Partey who is expected to captain the team following Andre Ayew’s suspension. There are other debutants like Antwi Adjei and Club Brugge defender Odoi
Also, the NSA has teamed up with Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ghana Football Association to come up with an easy way of purchasing a ticket for the cliffhanger encounter.
Fans can easily buy a ticket with their phones by dialing the short code *711# and select option 2.
This comes up as a result of public outcry on how tickets easily become too difficult to find especially on matchdays.
Anyone who wishes to at the stadium can purchase a ticket for himself or herself as well as other friends and relatives.
The last time Ghana played Fifa World Cup playoff game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Black Stars annihilated Egypt 6-1 and went on to qualify with a 7-3 aggregate scoreline after losing the return fixture 2-1 in Cairo.
