In a major development ahead of the 2025 Ghana Premier League season, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Club Licensing Committee has banned five stadiums, including the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, from hosting official league matches. This decision comes after an inspection revealed poor pitch conditions and inadequate safety measures, forcing affected clubs to either upgrade their facilities or find alternative venues before the league resumes on March 7, 2025.
The affected stadiums are:
1. Baba Yara Sports Stadium – Home to Asante Kotoko
2. Legon Sports Stadium – Home to Accra Hearts of Oak
3. Golden City Park – Home to Berekum Chelsea
4. AAK Ampain Stadium – Home to Basake Holy Stars
5. Wenchi Sports Stadium – Home to Young Apostles
This move has sparked mixed reactions from club officials, players, and fans, as teams now face the challenge of securing new venues before the league kicks off.
Why Were These Stadiums Banned?
According to the GFA Club Licensing Committee, the banned stadiums failed to meet the required standards for professional football. The key issues identified include:
1. Poor Pitch Conditions
Uneven playing surfaces that pose a risk of player injuries.
Patches of bare soil and poor grass maintenance affecting ball movement.
Inadequate drainage systems leading to waterlogging during rainy seasons.
2. Safety Concerns
Weak stadium infrastructure, including broken seating areas and poorly maintained stands.
Lack of proper emergency exits and security protocols to handle large crowds.
Concerns over fan safety following previous stadium-related incidents.
3. Failure to Meet FIFA & GFA Standards
FIFA requires stadiums to meet specific safety and pitch quality guidelines for professional football.
The GFA has recently intensified stadium regulations to protect both players and spectators.
These concerns prompted the committee to take strict action and enforce bans to ensure that only stadiums that meet the highest safety and quality standards will host Ghana Premier League matches.
Impact on Affected Clubs
The ban has left affected clubs scrambling to find solutions before the league resumes on March 7, 2025.
Asante Kotoko & Accra Hearts of Oak (The Big Losers?)
For Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, two of Ghana’s most successful clubs, the decision is a huge setback. Playing away from their traditional home grounds could hurt their performance, as home support plays a crucial role in boosting player morale.
Smaller Clubs Facing Financial Struggles
For clubs like Basake Holy Stars and Young Apostles, this ban could have financial implications. Renting alternative stadiums comes with high costs, which could affect club budgets and player salaries.
Fans Affected – Longer Travel Distances
Fans of these clubs will now have to travel further to support their teams, leading to possible low attendance at matches.
GFA’s Response & Safety Concerns
The GFA’s strict stance on stadium conditions follows the tragic death of Asante Kotoko superfan Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as "Pooley." His passing has pushed the GFA to intensify safety measures across the country.
GFA President Kurt Okraku has vowed to ensure that all match venues meet international safety standards to prevent further tragedies. He stated:
"Football is about the fans, and their safety is our top priority. We will not allow substandard stadiums to put lives at risk."
The GFA has given affected clubs a final deadline to either fix their stadiums or secure alternative venues before the league kicks off.
How Are Clubs Responding?
With the deadline fast approaching, affected clubs are exploring different solutions:
Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak are considering using alternative stadiums in the short term.
Berekum Chelsea has announced plans to renovate the Golden City Park as soon as possible.
Basake Holy Stars and Young Apostles may have to relocate for the season if improvements cannot be completed in time.
This situation raises an important question: Will the affected clubs meet the GFA’s strict requirements in time, or will they be forced to play their “home” games away from home?
Fans’ Reactions & Social Media Buzz
Football fans have taken to social media to express their opinions on the bans:
@GhanaSoccerFan: "How did we allow our stadiums to get this bad? The GFA should have acted earlier!"
@KotokoDieHard: "No Baba Yara? This is bad news! Kotoko without their home ground? Unbelievable!"
@FootballAnalystGH: "Good decision by the GFA. Player safety should always come first!"
Many fans support the decision, while others believe the GFA should have provided financial support to help clubs meet stadium standards.
What’s Next?
With just a few weeks before the Ghana Premier League resumes, the affected clubs have limited time to find solutions. The question now is:
Will they be able to renovate their stadiums before the deadline, or will they be forced to play their “home” matches elsewhere?
The coming weeks will be crucial as clubs race against time to meet the GFA’s licensing requirements. Football lovers across Ghana will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.
Conclusion
The GFA’s decision to ban five stadiums has sparked intense debate, but one thing is clear: player and fan safety must come first. While the move has caused inconvenience for clubs and fans, it is a necessary step toward improving Ghana’s football infrastructure.
As the countdown to March 7, 2025 begins, all eyes will be on the affected clubs to see how they respond. Will they meet the deadline, or will they have to find new homes for their matches?
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