The National Sports Authority (NSA) has temporarily closed the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium for maintenance, according to reports.
This closure is part of efforts to upgrade both venues to meet international standards.
The decision comes on the back of a recent directive from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which saw the ban on the use of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for CAF/FIFA senior international matches due to the poor condition of the pitch.
CAF recommended a full reconstruction of the playing surface at Baba Yara.
In light of the Baba Yara issue, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to engage with CAF to inspect both the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon to determine if they are suitable for the upcoming match.
While the Accra Sports Stadium is listed in CAF’s database, it still requires significant upgrades. The Legon stadium, on the other hand, is not considered ready for approval.
On September 6, 2024, the GFA met with the Sports Ministry and NSA to address the urgent repairs needed at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, following the Black Stars’ defeat to Angola’s Palancas Negras at Baba Yara.
It currently seems likely that Ghana will host Sudan in Cape Coast unless unexpected complications arise. If no venue in Ghana meets the required standards, the GFA is also considering the possibility of playing the match in Togo, Nigeria or Cote D’Ivoire.
