The plight of African national football teams, forced to play their “home” matches abroad due to the substandard condition of their domestic stadiums, has become a pressing concern.
The situation has drawn the ire of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who has vehemently emphasized the importance of teams playing in front of their home fans.
A significant number of African stadiums are currently banned by CAF from hosting international matches, leaving countries like Burkina Faso, Kenya, Comoros, Benin, Madagascar, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, among others, with no choice but to seek alternative venues ahead of the next international window.
The latest addition to this list is Ghana, whose only approved Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi has been deemed unfit to host international matches, leaving the country scrambling for a suitable alternative.
Motsepe’s comments during a recent CAF Executive meeting in Nairobi highlighted his strong stance on the issue.
“Nothing frustrates me more than a national team or club side having to play home matches outside,” he declared.
He underscored the significance of home advantage, stating that:
“You can’t grow football if the national teams or club sides aren’t playing in front of their home fans.”
The passionate support of a home crowd can be a powerful motivator for any team, and its absence can be a significant disadvantage.
Recognizing the need for improvement, Motsepe revealed CAF’s efforts to ensure each country has at least one stadium suitable for hosting category C games.
This initiative aims to provide essential infrastructure for hosting international matches and fostering football development within member nations.
Investment in stadium infrastructure is crucial not only to comply with CAF regulations but also to create a thriving football environment where teams can benefit from home support and fans can experience the electrifying atmosphere of international matches.
By addressing this issue, CAF hopes to create a more equitable playing field for African national teams and contribute to the overall development of football on the continent.
