Ghana’s Accra Sports Stadium has received approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches, paving the way for the Black Stars to return to the historic venue for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
The approval follows months of renovation work undertaken by the National Sports Authority (NSA), with the facility now deemed to have met CAF’s requirements for hosting international fixtures.
The certification marks the return of the Accra Sports Stadium to CAF’s list of approved venues after it previously lost its approval, forcing Ghana to explore alternative stadiums for home matches.
The Black Stars are scheduled to return to Accra on September 27, 2026, when they host Gambia in their opening home qualifier. The match will come three days after Ghana’s away encounter against Côte d’Ivoire.
The condition of the Accra Sports Stadium has been a subject of concern in recent years, with questions raised over whether the facility could meet the required CAF and FIFA standards.
Despite the latest refurbishment, concerns about Ghana’s sporting infrastructure remain. Earlier this month, Berekum West MP Dickson Kyere-Duah described the facility as a “death trap”, highlighting the need for continued investment and maintenance of the country’s major sporting venues.
CAF’s approval has also created an opportunity for other countries without certified home venues to use the Accra Sports Stadium for their international fixtures.
Niger will stage its 2027 AFCON qualifying home matches in Accra after receiving approval to use the venue. Niger have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Gabon and Lesotho.
Somalia has also formally approached the NSA seeking permission to use the Accra Sports Stadium for its home matches.
Somalia are in Group C alongside Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia, potentially making Accra an important venue for several fixtures involving teams in Ghana’s qualifying group.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
The top two teams from each qualifying group will secure qualification for the tournament.
The return of the Accra Sports Stadium to CAF’s approved venue list provides the Black Stars with a much-needed home ground as Ghana begins its campaign to secure a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
