The National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced the temporary closure of both the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium for essential maintenance.
This move is aimed at upgrading the facilities to meet international standards, especially ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
The decision comes after a recent directive from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which banned the use of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for CAF and FIFA senior international matches due to the deteriorating condition of the pitch. CAF has recommended a complete overhaul of the Baba Yara playing surface.
In the meantime, the NSA is working to ensure alternative venues are ready for Ghana’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Sudan in October.
To address the situation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to engage CAF to inspect both the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium at Legon to determine if either venue is suitable for hosting the match.
While the Accra stadium is already listed in CAF’s database, it requires significant upgrades before it can be approved.
The Legon stadium, however, is not expected to meet the necessary requirements in time for the match.
Earlier on September 6, 2024, the GFA held a meeting with the Sports Ministry and the NSA to discuss the pressing need to repair the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, following the Black Stars’ defeat to Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Currently, the Cape Coast stadium appears to be the most viable option to host the Sudan match, pending final inspections and upgrades.
If no stadium in Ghana meets CAF’s standards, the GFA has also considered relocating the match to Togo as a contingency plan.
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