The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declined approval for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to host Asante Kotoko’s CAF Confederation Cup playoff first-leg tie against Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club (WAC).
The Porcupine Warriors will now play the decisive clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm.
Kotoko had hoped to return to Kumasi following renovation works at the Baba Yara Stadium, but CAF’s inspection ruled the venue unfit to stage the continental fixture.
“Management regrettably announces that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declined the approval of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to host Asante Kotoko’s CAF Confederation Cup clash against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco. As a result, the club will now play its crucial first leg tie at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm,” the club wrote on X.
The decision comes as a major setback for the club, which enjoys massive support in Kumasi, often considered their fortress.
Despite the change of venue, management has assured fans of smooth preparations ahead of the tie.
“Further details of the match arrangements will be communicated in due course,” the club said in a statement.
Asante Kotoko advanced to this stage after eliminating Nigeria’s Kwara United 5-3 on aggregate in the previous round.
Wydad, meanwhile, dropped into the Confederation Cup following their early exit from the CAF Champions League.
The second leg of the playoff will be staged in Morocco on Saturday, October 25, 2025, where qualification to the group stage of the competition will be decided.
