Bibiani GoldStars' plea highlights Ghana's stadium crisis

The heartfelt appeal from Bibiani GoldStars for national support ahead of their CAF Champions League preliminary match has inadvertently spotlighted Ghana's deepening stadium infrastructure crisis, revealing how inadequate facilities are hindering the nation's continental football ambitions.

As reigning Ghana Premier League champions, GoldStars find themselves in the paradoxical position of being unable to host their historic continental debut in their own community.

Their home ground, Dun's Park in Bibiani, has been deemed unsuitable by CAF standards, forcing them into exile at the Accra Sports Stadium—over 200 kilometers from their loyal fanbase.

Head coach Frimpong Manso's call for Ghanaians to fill the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday against JS Kabylie underscores a painful reality: Ghana's football champions must essentially become visitors in their own country to participate in Africa's elite club competition.

This situation is not unique to GoldStars. Several Ghanaian clubs have faced similar challenges in recent years, with many stadiums across the country failing to meet basic CAF requirements for seating, lighting, media facilities, and security arrangements. The crisis particularly affects clubs from outside Accra, who must bear additional financial burdens of relocation while losing their genuine home advantage.

The infrastructure gap has become so severe that even recent Premier League winners struggle to meet continental standards, raising questions about the long-term development of Ghanaian football and its competitiveness on the African stage.

GoldStars' predicament serves as both a warning and a wake-up call for football administrators and policymakers. The club's forced displacement represents more than an inconvenience—it symbolises systemic neglect of sports infrastructure that ultimately diminishes Ghana's standing in African football.

As Manso and his team prepare to represent Ghana without the benefit of their actual home support, their experience highlights the urgent need for comprehensive stadium development strategy to ensure future champions can properly showcase Ghanaian football on the continental stage.

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