On Wednesday, the Confederation of Africa Football eventually accepted Ghana’a request to move their titanic World Cup playoff clash with the Super Eagles to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
This came after the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, the original venue for the game, was rejected.
Football lovers in Ghana were filled with anxiety while other were just confused over what the next step of CAF was going to be after rejecting the Cape Coast Stadium.
The only option, before Ghana requested for the Baba Yara Stadium to be used, wa SC to either play the game in Benin, Kenya, Morocco or Egypt.
With massive uncertainty over the choice of Baba Yara, many Ghanaians were worried the Black Stars could be playing their crucial qualifier with the Super Eagles outside the country.
The news of CAF accepting the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the game then came as a refreshing piece to Ghanaians reminiscing the good days of the Black Stars at the venue.
There seem to be excitement written on the faces of several Ghanaian sports enthusiasts who see the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as a good omen for the Black Stars.
Following the news, footballmadeinghana.com sampled the views of some top sports journalists in Ghana over the new venue.
Opoku Afriyie (PK) – Light FM, Kumasi
I think the change of venue from Cape Coast to Baba Yard Sports Stadium is a blessing in disguise. It is divine if you ask me, because our three consecutive appearances at the World Cup we’re all earned at the Bara Yara Stadium.
Look, in our maiden qualification to the World Cup, we played against difficult countries but we were able to earn qualification at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Kumasi is noted for those things. Kumasi is the home of football. The Black Stars are always cherished at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
I think the Nigerians are scared to play our Stars but let’s remember the Nigerians are poised for qualification so our Stars’ win won’t come as a fluke because matches between Ghana and Nigeria have always been termed as El Classico just like Kotoko and Hearts. Extra work has to be done behind the scenes. So I urge the Kumasi media and the people of Kumasi to throw their weight behind the Black Stars.
Owusu Bempah (AYALA) – Nhyira FM
This generation has grown to call the Baba Yara Sports Stadium – The home of the Black Stars – because of its historic moments and the memories that have been created. Massive attendances, massive support, 90 minutes of constant patience and confidence to the team by teaming fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi always when the Black Stars call on them to deliver.
But recently, the apathy towards the Black Stars from the citizenry doesn’t leave Kumasi out of the story. You cannot be assured of attendances now, the patience, the support and the unflinching behavior of a typical Black Stars supporter in Kumasi are today very unpredictable because of the apathy towards the team.
Infrastructure wise, you compare Baba Yara to Essipon, Accra Sports Stadium & Aliu Mahama stadium and you can say it is the best in the country.
Recently renovated, the pitch looks solid and quality, it’s a very ideal environment to invite fans to watch this crucial game. A change in venue will ultimately mean a change in plans by the FA. Changing booking arrangements from Cape-Coast to Kumasi, as a Journalist, I would advise the GFA to remain focused and not be perturbed by the change of venue.
The mood in the city after the venue change was confirmed, was exhilarating and most of the Supporters have one message for the Nigerians.
“Nigeria is dead on arrival and the Black Stars will triumph in this playoffs.”
Awal Mohammed (DeMonza) – Otec FM, Kumasi
I think the news of Baba Yara Stadium hosting the World Cup playoff is a very good one. If you look at the Baba Yara Stadium currently, it’s in a very good shape to host a game of this nature. The stadium was recently renovated, the pitch is in good shape, other facilities at the Stadium are also in good condition.
Beyond the excellent conditions present at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, we all know the Baba Yara has been a favoured ground for the Black Stars. During Black Stars games, The fans come in their numbers and it’s been long since Black Stars game was played in Kumasi.
So this will give fans an opportunity to troop to the stadium and give the team full support.
So I think the change in venue will positively impact on this Black Stars team.
Ohene Bampoe Brenya – Happy FM, Accra
The announcement that the game is happening at the Baba Yara is a piece of welcoming news for many Ghanaians. The venue in Kumasi is twice as big as that of Cape-Coast which also means we’ll have more fans in the stadia for a very crucial game like this.
As much as it is a good venue, there has to be some work done on the spectators. Attendance to some of the local games have not been that impressive. So for this particular game, I think there has to be some promotional works being done in the city to whip up the interest among spectators.
We all know Ghana didn’t do well at the AFCON and that may have caused the apathy and love for the team to dwindle. SO for a game of this magnitude there needs to be a lot of promotion works, to get the fans into the stadium to cheer the team and motivate the players to give their best on the said matchday.
Michael Kofi Oduro (Sports Editor, Metro TV)
Playing in Kumasi for me is the best and could be a blessing in disguise. Yes Cape Coast gave us a lot of luck and Cape Coast fans were loyal to the Black Stars but I think Kumasi and the people there have demonstrated in the past to provide the right euphoria for games of this magnitude. The atmosphere to be created by the Kumasi fans and the possible visit to the Manhyia Palace is enough motivation for the players to go and kill themselves for Ghana.
Fentuo Tahiru – Citi FM
The last time Ghana played in Kumasi was five years ago and a return there will generate a different level of energy that could propel the team to victory. The Black Stars have had a lot of luck playing in Kumasi, the venue that took them to three World Cup tournaments. If there’s any place where they feel they have a chance qualifying for another World Cup, it’s at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Muftawu Adamu – Africa-foot.com
Ghana has been handed a lifeline of relief ahead of the first leg against Nigeria on March 25.
Baba Yara, and to a large extent Kumasi, has always been a favourable venue for the Black Stars.
The Baba Yara gave the Black Stars their first World Cup qualification in 2006, saw them make it again in 2010 and culminated to their wonderful wins over Zambia and Egypt in the 2014 World Cup qualifier.
So Baba Yara it is and this comes as a huge sign of luck to Ghana.
Daniel Oduro – Sports Editor, GhanaWeb.com
Kumasi has always been a very good venue for the national team. It has become something like the natural home of the Black Stars and it helps that the folks in Kumasi are big football fans.
Their unwavering support will be crucial if Ghana is to beat Nigeria.
Somehow I feel the circumstances under which the Cape Coast stadium was rejected is a blessing in disguise.
