AFCON 2025: Togo Rejects Ghana’s Request to Host Sudan for 2025 AFCON Qualifier
In an unexpected turn of events, the Togo Football Association (FA) has rejected a request from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to host Sudan’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match on their soil. This decision, confirmed on September 18, 2024, has intensified the GFA’s ongoing search for an alternative venue for the match, following the recent disqualification of Ghana’s own Baba Yara Stadium due to technical deficiencies.
Why The Request?
Sudan, currently grappling with internal conflicts, is unable to host international matches at home, compelling their football federation to search for a neutral venue. Ghana had stepped forward to host the match but, with the Baba Yara Stadium out of commission following CAF’s sanctions, the GFA turned to neighboring countries like Togo for assistance. The expectation was that Togo would offer their Stade de Kégué as an option.
Reasons For Togo’s Refusal
The reasons for Togo’s refusal to accommodate Ghana’s request are not entirely clear, with reports citing logistical and practical concerns. Hosting international matches involves a significant amount of preparation and resources, including security measures and scheduling adjustments, which may have posed challenges for the Togo FA. Additionally, Togo’s own footballing activities could have conflicted with the availability of their national stadium, making it difficult to accommodate the request.
What It Means for the Black Stars and Sudan
Ghana’s inability to host the match locally has put both the Black Stars and Sudan in a challenging position. Sudan, having already been displaced by their internal situation, now faces further delays in securing a venue. Ghana, on the other hand, is forced to continue its search for an alternative stadium in a neighboring country, with the AFCON 2025 qualifiers quickly approaching.
The rejection from Togo is a blow to both federations, but it is not an isolated issue in African football, where many nations struggle to provide suitable venues for international tournaments due to political instability or infrastructural inadequacies.
What Happens Next?
With Togo’s refusal, Ghana is reportedly looking at other neighboring countries such as Ivory Coast or Nigeria as potential venues. Time is of the essence, and a decision needs to be made soon to avoid jeopardizing the qualification process. The GFA is working around the clock to ensure the Black Stars can secure a venue that meets CAF standards before their next qualifier.
This incident also brings to light broader concerns about the state of Ghana’s football infrastructure and the ongoing challenges facing African nations when it comes to organizing and hosting international matches.
For more updates, stay tuned to Whitebox Media for future developments regarding the Black Stars’ AFCON journey.
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