CAF approves Accra Sports Stadium for Black Stars’ crucial AFCON qualifier against Sudan

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the Accra Sports Stadium as the host venue for Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan.

The 40,000-capacity stadium has been approved after initial concerns that Ghana might have to play the match outside the country, a situation that would have been unprecedented.

Ghana’s recent home matches had been hosted at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, but it was deemed unfit by CAF. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) was instructed to explore alternatives abroad with other venues also unavailable.

Ivory Coast was considered, and reports suggested Togo declined a request to host the match. However, following intensive efforts by the National Sports Authority (NSA) to get the Accra Sports Stadium ready, CAF approved the venue after reviewing inspection reports.

CAF’s letter to GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo read: “We are pleased to inform you that the Accra Sports Stadium has been approved to host the AFCON Qualifiers for Morocco 2025. Specifically, it will host the Group F – Matchday 3 encounter between Ghana and Sudan, scheduled for October 11, 2024.”

This news comes as a relief to players and fans, including former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah and ex-President John Mahama, who both criticised the initial ban on the country’s stadiums.

The NSA Director General, Dodzie Numekevor, was dismissed by President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif faced intense scrutiny, being labelled the worst Sports Minister ever—an accusation he rebutted before the Parliamentary Select Committee for Sports and Tourism last week.

Ghana’s match against Sudan is critical, as the Black Stars have only managed one point from two games. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the tournament in Morocco, with the current standings showing Angola (6 points), Sudan (3 points), Ghana (1 point), and Niger (1 point).

Four days after the Accra game, Ghana will face Sudan again at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya, as Sudan is unable to host matches due to political unrest.

The Accra Sports Stadium last hosted an AFCON qualifier in 2021, with Ghana’s most recent game at the venue being a 3-1 friendly win over Liberia in 2023.

The post CAF approves Accra Sports Stadium for Black Stars’ crucial AFCON qualifier against Sudan first appeared on 3News.

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