The Accra Sports Stadium has been approved to host top-level international matches, with Niger and Somalia expressing interest in using the facility for their upcoming fixtures.
National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah confirmed that the stadium is currently Ghana’s only approved venue for FIFA Category A matches.
Speaking exclusively to 3Sports, Ampofo Ankrah said the facility has received the necessary clearance despite ongoing improvement works.
“Accra Sports Stadium is currently the only approved venue for FIFA Category A matches,” he said.
The development represents a major turnaround for the stadium following concerns over the condition of the pitch and other areas of the facility ahead of Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Niger are expected to use the Accra Sports Stadium for their home fixture against Lesotho on September 24.
The match will be played on the same day Ghana’s Black Stars travel to Bouaké for their own international assignment.
“On the 24th of September, the Black Stars will be in Bouaké. And at the same time, Niger will be here against Lesotho. So we’re preparing for that,” Ampofo Ankrah explained.
Somalia have also requested to use the Accra Sports Stadium for their home fixture against Ghana.
According to Ampofo Ankrah, communication from the Ghana Football Association indicates that both meetings between Ghana and Somalia could be staged at the Accra Sports Stadium.
“Both matches will be played at Accra, home and away. So that’s what the FA has communicated. So we need to prepare for those matches,” he said.
Ampofo Ankrah described the arrangements as part of Ghana’s collaboration with other African football nations, CAF and the Ghana Football Association.
“It’s more of a collaboration, partnership support… for CAF’s request, or Somalia’s request, and Niger’s request through the Confederation of African Football and the Ghana Football Association,” he added.
The approval comes after a period of uncertainty over Ghana’s ability to provide a suitable venue for international football.
While the Accra Sports Stadium has now been cleared, Ampofo Ankrah stressed that significant work remains to be done to improve the facility and other sporting infrastructure across the country.
“There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done, not just here at the Accra Sports Stadium, but across the regions,” he said.
For now, the approval puts the Accra Sports Stadium back at the centre of international football, with Ghana set to use the facility while Niger and potentially Somalia rely on the venue for their home fixtures.
Source: 3sports