The ministry of Youth and Sports has directed the Ghana Football Association to request from CAF, the Football governing body of Africa to inspect the Accra Sports Stadium and the newly built University of Ghana sports stadium, for approval for use by the Black Stars in their next international match in October.
This directive comes following CAF`s decision to withdraw its approval of the Baba Yara Stadium as a suitable venue for CAF Category 3 matches after Ghana hosted Angola for the 2025 AFCON qualifier match.
CAF raised concerns about the state of the pitch after the match.
The head coach for Angola, Pedro Goncalves also expressed his dissatisfaction about the state of the pitch during his post match conference.
“They have good players and they deserve a better pitch,” the coach said.
The Sports Ministry said directed the National Sports Authority (NSA) to take steps to resolve issues with the pitch (Baba Yara Sports Stadium).
The Ministry stated that they are confident the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Sports stadium have the requirements for CAF’s Category 3 matches after the inspection.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports is confident that the University of Ghana and Accra Sports Stadia will meet the requirements for CAF’s Category 3 matches after the inspection, and again reiterate its commitment to upgrading the remaining national stadia to meet the standards required for CAF Category 3 matches.”
The Accra Sports Stadium had previously been deemed unfit to host international matches after it was inspected. The Ministry, however, said the identified issues found in the previous inspection have been resolved.
Read the full Press Release below
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS DIRECTS GFA TO REQUEST CAF TO INSPECT UNIVERSITY OF GHANA STADIUM FOR APPROVAL AS OTHER NATIONAL STADIA UNDERGOES REFURBISHMENT
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has been informed of a communique by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and its decision to withdraw approval of the Baba Yara Stadium as a suitable venue for CAF Category 3 matches.
The CAF notice particularly raised concerns about the state of the pitch; a concern which is already being addressed, by the closure of the Stadium after the 2025 AFCON qualifier match against Angola.
The Minister has directed the National Sports Authority (NSA) to take steps to resolve issues with the pitch and further instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to immediately request CAF to inspect the Accra Sports Stadium and the newly- built University of Ghana Stadium, for approval as Category 3 match venues, for use by the Black Stars in its next international match in October.
Most issues identified by CAF at the Accra Sports Stadium during a previous inspection have been resolved; while the University of Ghana Stadium has already hosted CAF Category 2 matches, but the stadium, since inauguration, is yet to be inspected by CAF’s independent inspectors for consideration as a suitable category 3 match venue, in accordance with CAF’s Stadium Regulations.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is confident that the University of Ghana and Accra Sports Stadia will meet the requirements for CAF’s Category 3 matches after the inspection, and again reiterate its commitment to upgrading the remaining national stadia to meet the standards required for CAF Category 3 matches.
SIGNED PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT
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