Baba Yara Sports Stadium to Host Ghana’s World Cup Blockbuster Against Nigeria

• Ghana's crucial first leg FIFA World Cup play-offs against Nigeria will be staged at the fabled Baba Yara Sports Stadium
• The March 25 fixture between the two West African foes was billed for the Cape Coast Stadium but owing to the poor state of the pitch the venue has been changed
• The Black Stars of Ghana and their Super Eagles counterparts from Nigeria will cross swords in a two-legged tie for one of five tickets to represent Africa at the World Cup

The Confederation Of Africa Football (CAF) has approved the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to host the first instalment of the all-important tie between Ghana and Nigeria, reports the Ghana Football Association.

The acceptance of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium comes after a CAF Licensing Inspector visited the edifice in Kumasi last Sunday to inspect the facility for the purposes of the fixture.

The contest was originally planned to be held at the Cape Coast Stadium - which had hosted all of Ghana’s previous qualifiers.

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Why was the match venue for the first-leg changed?

The Cape Coast Stadium, which has been Ghana's favoured venue for earlier qualifiers, suffered considerable damages to the pitch following the 65th Independence Day celebrations at the edifice.

Photos of the state of the pitch posted on social media were intercepted by the Nigeria Football Federation with the federation filing a complaint to FIFA about the poor nature of the pitch.

This necessitated a visit by the CAF Licensing Inspector who assessed both the Cape Coast Stadium and later the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with the latter chosen to host the cliffhanger.

Despite the approval by FIFA, Ghana has been assigned to address a number of renovation works to be made before March 25.

Panic in Ghana as venue for Black Stars game against Nigeria is in limbo

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the venue for Ghana's first leg World Cup play-off against the Super Eagles of Nigeria could be moved from the Cape Coast stadium to a new ground.

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The Cape Coast stadium was left in a horrible shape after the Independence Day parade on March 6, and Nigeria filed a petition against the poor nature of the pitch.

Despite restoration works by the National Sports Authority to ensure the playing turf is in shape for the game on March 25, 2022, reports in the West African country implies FIFA has warned Ghana the West African contest could be moved to either Morocco or Benin.