The Ministry of Youth and Sports has officially directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to request the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to inspect the University of Ghana Stadium for possible approval as a Category 3 match venue.
This action follows the withdrawal of CAF's approval of the Baba Yara Stadium as a venue for CAF Category 3 matches.
The CAF’s decision came after raising concerns over the state of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch, which is already being addressed with plans for closure after the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Angola to facilitate refurbishment.
In light of the ongoing refurbishments, the Minister of Youth and Sports has also tasked the National Sports Authority (NSA) to resolve any outstanding issues with the Baba Yara pitch and instructed the GFA to take immediate action by requesting CAF to inspect both the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium.
The newly constructed University of Ghana Stadium, which has already hosted CAF Category 2 matches, has yet to undergo inspection by CAF’s independent assessors for consideration as a Category 3 venue. Similarly, the Accra Sports Stadium, which previously faced issues identified by CAF, has reportedly resolved most of the concerns raised during its last inspection.
The Ministry remains confident that both stadiums will meet the necessary standards for Category 3 matches after CAF’s inspection, further reiterating its commitment to upgrading the country’s national stadiums to ensure compliance with CAF’s regulations for top-tier matches.
This move is particularly critical as the Black Stars gear up for their next international match in October, with hopes that these alternative venues will be approved to host the game.
In their statement, the Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all national stadia meet the standards required for hosting high-level CAF matches, highlighting the government's dedication to improving sports infrastructure across the country.
The inspection and approval of the University of Ghana Stadium would be a significant step forward in providing more options for hosting international fixtures while critical renovations at the Baba Yara Stadium and other national venues are underway.
