Ghana vs Nigeria: FIFA and CAF to decide on first leg venue today
CAF officers inspected the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi over the weekend in Ghana
FIFA and CAF are expected to announce their decision on which venue will host the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoffs between Ghana and Nigeria.
The match was originally scheduled to take place at Cape Coast Stadium in the Central Region.
However, the venue was cancelled by FIFA and CAF after images emerged of the stadium pitch in poor condition following the 65th Independence Anniversary Parade.
The National Sports Agency of Ghana had assured that they would address the issue before the game, but FIFA and CAF were not convinced.
CAF officers inspected the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi over the weekend in Ghana.
Due to the magnitude of the match, the venue was initially submitted to FIFA and CAF after the draw but was rejected because inspection had not been carried out. However, this may change after inspection
If the CAF deems the stadium unsuitable, the match will have to be played in another country, which would be an embarrassment for a country that prides itself on being a football nation.
Though Benin Republic is being considered but the Government of Ghana has reportedly approached former president of Ghana FA, Kwesi Nyantakyi to use his contacts in CAF and FIFA “to make certain decisions in Ghana’s favour”
Ghanaweb reports that the former Ghana FA boss is seen as the man that “could save Ghana from playing the first leg of its World Cup play-off against Nigeria at a neutral venue.”
Legally and morally, this is wrong, Nyantakyi, who was also a former CAF Vice President is currently serving a worldwide ban.
In 2018, in the days leading to the World Cup, Nyantakyi was found taking a bribe and purporting to have the ability to “take over the whole country”.on 30 October 2018, FIFA banned him for life from football related activities.
Two years ago, his ban was reduced to 15 year by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). Th ban runs till 2033. So, for him to attempt to influence the decision on match venue is contemptuous, a fact that the Ghana Government should have known.
Meanwhile, former football star Daniel Amokachi trolled Ghana in a video he filmed at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, where Nigeria’s home game will be played.
“We are at the Moshood Abiola Stadium. We are all ready. Look how beautiful the pitch is, look how beautiful the stadium is. We are very ready. But some people are still looking for a venue, some people are under confusion,” Amokachi jokingly said.
