Following the suspension of the Sierra Leone Football Association and its national teams from international competitions by FIFA, the proposed Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone slated for October 11, 2018 at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi was initially thrown into jeopardy.

Nonetheless, the GFA Normalization Committee wishes to assure the general public that measures are in place to ensure that Ghana’s preparation would not be affected.

We owe it a duty to update the general public having been in constant touch with the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) as well as the Sierra Leonean Football Association (SLFA).

The GFA Normalization Committee has gathered from communications with SLFA that there has not been any finality to the impasse. The Sierra Leone Football Association has informed us about an impending meeting with the government of Sierra Leone, regarding the way forward on Monday, October 8, 2018. Meanwhile the Leone Stars are in camp preparing for the match in Kumasi.

We underscore the importance of keeping all arrangements to have the match played intact until the final determination by Sierra Leone who have their destiny in their own hands. The Black Stars technical team remains focused for the task ahead.

We acknowledge the apprehension of the general public upon hearing the news; however rest assured that the GFA Normalization Committee will continue to engage FIFA, CAF as well as the SLFA and keep Ghanaian football fans posted.

It is of the essence that we take the best decision under the present circumstance in the supreme interest of Ghana Football. We urge calm among Ghanaians as the GFA Normalization Committee continues to engage FIFA, CAF and SLFA.

SIGNED DAN KWAKU YEBOAH (Spokesperson Normalization Committee)