Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifier against Somalia is surrounded by fresh uncertainty, with the Accra Sports Stadium’s condition raising serious questions about where the match will be played.
The fixture was initially scheduled for the Accra venue, but concerns have grown since the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) most recent inspection and as the stadium’s facilities continue to deteriorate.
CAF reported advanced deterioration, particularly in the metallic structures, which are heavily corroded and rusted. It also highlighted weaknesses in crowd management, emergency evacuation procedures, media facilities and security systems.
The stadium has been without electronic turnstiles and automated access control systems for an unspecified length of time. CAF said their absence made effective spectator management difficult and classified the facility as only partially compliant, meaning major improvements are required before it can host the tournament.
Accra stadium concerns
The venue was rented out for Shatta Wale’s musical concert before CAF’s report became public. Although the event itself produced impressive images, photographs taken afterwards showed a badly damaged pitch.
One half of the playing surface appeared to have lost most of its grass, with brown patches stretching across the penalty area and other large sections of the field.
The pitch escaped significant attention when Ghana last used the stadium for September qualifiers, largely because the Black Stars’ performance overshadowed the condition of the facility. Since Ghana hosted Gambia on 29th September, the stadium has not staged a league match, yet the playing surface has deteriorated further during that month of inactivity.
The problem has also raised concerns about player safety. In September, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Alidu Seidu, Nathaniel Adjei, Prince Adu Kwabena and Antoine Semenyo withdrew from Ghana’s squad for matches against Ivory Coast and Gambia because of different fitness issues. Thomas Partey, Baba Rahman and Alexander Djiku were also unavailable because of injury.
If some of those withdrawals were intended to avoid aggravating existing problems or suffering setbacks, the worsening pitch could create additional concerns.
Sekondi alternative
Sekondi Sports Stadium has emerged as a possible alternative, although its readiness is also uncertain. Its roof and seats have been replaced, but the pitch has not been relaid and no other major work has been completed.
Before the stadium closed in 2019, its drainage and irrigation systems were obsolete. It also lacked a functional CCTV surveillance system, automated access control and electronic spectator-counting equipment.
As with the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Stadium, its dressing rooms were undersized and poorly equipped, while its media facilities consisted only of foldable seats.
Despite those shortcomings, CAF’s enforcement of its licensing regulations has often proved flexible. Ghana will host Somalia on November 12, 2026, whether at Sekondi or Accra, not because either venue clearly meets CAF’s standards but because of CAF’s lenient approach.
The question is how long that approach can continue.
