Accra Sports Stadium cleared as Niger, Somalia seek venue

The Accra Sports Stadium has once again received approval from CAF to host international matches, enabling Ghana to stage home fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This decision comes after months of renovations and the withdrawal of the previous certification. Ghana will now face Gambia in a qualifier on September 27, just three days after their match against Ivory Coast.

The approval provides a permanent home venue for the Black Stars, although concerns about the stadium's condition persist. Berekum West MP Dickson Kyere-Duah recently described the facility as a "death trap," underscoring ongoing criticisms of Ghana's sports infrastructure. The approval also opens the possibility of Accra Sports Stadium becoming a regional venue for teams lacking certified facilities.

Niger, in Group A with Morocco, Gabon, and Lesotho, has been granted permission to host their 2027 AFCON qualifiers in Accra. Somalia, sharing Group C with Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Gabon, has reportedly requested the National Sports Authority to use the stadium for their home matches. With the 2027 AFCON hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, several qualifying matches involving teams from Ghana's wider group could potentially be played in Accra.