CAF President Patrice Motsepe has voiced his frustration over national teams having to play outside their home countries due to subpar facilities.
His remarks followed CAF’s ban on Ghana from hosting home matches at the Baba Yara Stadium, the nation’s sole approved venue, because of the pitch’s poor condition.
This ruling puts Ghana in the same group as several other nations forced to play away from home.
Motsepe criticized this situation during a CAF meeting in Kenya attended by Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku.
At a press briefing in Nairobi, Motsepe stated, “Nothing frustrates me more than a national team or club side having to play their home matches elsewhere.”
He highlighted the significance of playing in front of local fans, asserting, “Football cannot develop if national teams or club sides are not competing in front of their home supporters.”
Motsepe also emphasized CAF’s commitment to ensuring every country has at least one stadium suitable for hosting category C games: “We are working in every country to ensure there is at least one stadium capable of hosting a CAF category C match.”
Ghana will face Sudan in a crucial AFCON qualifying double header in October, with Togo or Côte d’Ivoire the likely venue for Ghana’s home leg in the fixture.