The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly cleared the Accra Sports Stadium to host international matches, paving the way for the Black Stars to return to the venue for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The approval follows months of renovation work by the National Sports Authority (NSA), with the facility now deemed to have met CAF’s requirements for hosting international fixtures.
The development comes after the Accra Sports Stadium previously lost its approval, forcing Ghana to use alternative venues for its home matches.
The Black Stars are set to return to Accra on September 27, when they host The Gambia in their opening home qualifier, matchday two of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
That fixture will come three days after Ghana’s away clash against Ivory Coast at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on September 24.
The condition of the Accra Sports Stadium has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, with concerns raised over its ability to meet CAF and FIFA standards.
Earlier this month, Berekum West Member of Parliament Dickson Kyere-Duah described the facility as a “death trap”, highlighting the broader concerns surrounding the state of Ghana’s sporting infrastructure, despite the latest refurbishment.
His comments followed an inspection of the facility by officials from the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Sports Fund, and representatives from Parliament on Wednesday, 26th August, 2026.
CAF’s latest decision could also make the Accra Sports Stadium a temporary home for other countries without approved venues.
Niger, for instance, will play its home 2027 AFCON qualifiers in Accra after receiving approval to use the facility. Niger have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Gabon and Lesotho.
Somalia has also formally approached the National Sports Authority (NSA) for permission to stage its home matches at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Somalia are in Group C alongside Ghana, Ivory Coast and Gabon, meaning the Accra venue could potentially host several fixtures involving teams in Ghana’s qualifying group.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. The top two teams from each qualifying group will secure qualification to the tournament.
