Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has warned that the Accra Sports Stadium cannot host the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations unless urgent repairs start soon.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently chose Ghana to host the 2027 U-20 AFCON. This will be the second time Ghana hosts the tournament, with the first in 1999.
The tournament will take place during Ghana’s 70th Independence anniversary celebrations. Twelve nations will compete, and the top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Ampofo Ankrah told Sporty FM that Ghana can only host the tournament if it secures immediate funding for renovations.
“If we don’t have funding, whether from corporate bodies, international partnerships or the state, nothing is going to happen. Where we are now, I don’t think we can host the U-20 AFCON unless we start work immediately,” he said.
The NSA Director General also said he is concerned about Ghana’s football infrastructure, even though the country has a strong history in international football.
“We have been to the World Cup five times, yet we don’t have a standard stadium. That should worry all of us,” he added.
Ampofo Ankrah also said the NSA is waiting for the results of a technical assessment by an international engineering firm. This report will show the stadium’s condition and what work needs to be done.
“As we speak, we are expecting a report from a foreign company that conducted a technical review of the facility. They will determine its current state and advise on whether we need renovations or even a temporary closure, be it for a week, a month, or longer,” he explained.
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