It is race against time for Ghana Football Association (GFA) and National Sports Authority( NSA) as they attempt to tinker the Cape Coast Stadium into shape for the forthcoming play-off against Nigeria on March 25.
The venue originally submitted to FIFA to host the first leg of the two-legged encounter was used on March 6th to celebrate the former Gold Coast 65th Independent celebration with the event reportedly taking its toil on the pitch.
The NSA revealed work started on the pitch immediately after the celebration and assured that all will be tidied up before the March 25th date, but with about 11 days to the D-day there are indications that the pitch may not be ready for the showdown.
A CAF inspection officer, believed to be a Ugandan according to Joy Sports was in Ghana to check the Baba Yara Stadium and passed it fit for use but using it as an alternative may hit the rocks as the venue was not originally sent to FIFA window allowed which stipulates that the venue must be communicated to the world soccer ruling body within 90 days before kickoff. Unless FIFA decides to use its discretion to approve the stadium at the 11th hour, the first leg tie may be shifted to Benin, Cameroon or Morocco.
Nigeria and Ghana are locked in a battle for ticket to the world cup in Qatar in November. Ten Africa countries including Nations Cup winners Senegal, hosts Cameroon , finalists Egypt and Algeria are all in contention for the ticket. Other countries include DR Congo, Tunisia , Morocco and Mali
