CAF Shuns Ghana Football Association, Rejects Proposal Ahead of World Cup Playoffs Against Nigeria

• Ghana are doing everything to change the initially proposed home match venue against the Super Eagles of Nigeria
• Both countries battle for a World Cup spot in March and the GFA now wants their home game played in Kumasi
• CAF has rejected the proposal, stating that the time frame for such changes has elapsed as the game will hold at the Cape Coast Stadium

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected a proposal by the Ghana Football Association to change the match venue for next month’s World Cup playoffs against Nigeria.

Complete Sports reports that the GFA is desperate to change the match venue for their home game from the initial Cape Coast Stadium to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Ghana officials are claiming that the Cape Coast Stadium might not be perfect for the crucial encounter as the country’s Independence Day celebration will be held there on March 6.

Uganda national football team history, achievements, players, world rankings

Football

But in a statement by the continental football body, the match against Nigeria will go ahead at the Cape Coast Stadium as the proposal was rejected.

A CAF statement said:

“On the 23rd of December 2021, GFA informed CAF that Cape Coast Stadium was the venue selected for the playoff round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers.

“Based on the venue selection received from each of the participating national associations, CAF has timely concluded the assessment of the selected stadium(s) and communicated to FIFA the venue decisions for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round.

“Considering the above, the request of change of venue is not accepted, hence the match Ghana Vs. Nigeria for the playoff round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers should be maintained at Cape Coast Stadium.”

Buhari urges Nigerians to continue supporting Super Eagles

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to encourage the Super Eagles to bounce back after the team crashed out of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sudan national football team: roster, coach, world rankings, AFCON, nickname

Football

Buhari had, via a video call, spoken with the team shortly before their Round of 16 clash against the North African side, however, they could not move past that stage.

In his reaction to the loss, the president says Nigerians should not write the team off, adding that he has directed officials to take a critical assessment of all that happened to the team in Cameroon.

Troost-Ekong assures Nigerians of World Cup qualification

Sports Brief earlier reported that William Troost-Ekong has declared the Super Eagles cannot afford to not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after suffering an early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will now move their attention to qualifying for the World Cup after being paired with perennial rivals and West African neighbours Ghana.

Troost-Ekong says the Super Eagles will make up for their early AFCON exit by ensuring they qualify for the World Cup.