Asante Kotoko has been dealt a blow as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as a venue for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup match against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.

According to information available to Kotoko management, the highly anticipated match will now be hosted at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 19, 2025.

This development comes as a surprise to the Kotoko fraternity, given that the Baba Yara Stadium has undergone significant renovation works recently.

Kotoko is seeking to host the Moroccan giants in Kumasi and exact revenge after losing the Cup (then CAF Cup Winners’ Cup) in 2002 during Herbert Mensah’s regime, with Ralph Zumdick as their head coach.

The Moroccans with Luis Oscar Fullone as head coach won the first leg 1-0 at home and lost to Kotoko 2-1 in Kumasi on December 8, 2002, but took away the cup due to the away goal rule.

For Kotoko, having edged out Kwara United, the team is eager to avenge their loss against WAC in Kumasi.

However, CAF’s disapproval of Baba Yara Sports Stadium poses a daunting task for coach Karim Zito Kabutey and his players.

BY Thomas Awuah Asem