The National Sports Authority (NSA) is working to secure full Confederation of African Football (CAF) certification for Essipong Sports Stadium before Ghana’s November 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia.
Acting NSA Director General Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong said the remaining requirements set by CAF were being addressed to make the venue eligible to host further international matches.
The Black Stars are due to play Somalia twice on Matchdays 3 and 4 of the qualifying campaign. The NSA is considering Essipong for Somalia’s home fixture against Ghana, a move that would reduce the burden on the Accra Sports Stadium and create more time for maintenance work there.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Prof. Osei Sarpong said the Authority was seeking approval for five major stadiums: Accra Sports Stadium, Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Cape Coast Stadium, Tamale Stadium and Essipong Sports Stadium.
“Currently, Accra is certified. Fortunately for us, we got Essipong temporarily certified,” he said.
Essipong was granted conditional approval by FIFA and CAF to stage the Black Queens’ match against Mauritius on Tuesday, 13 October. That game marked the stadium’s return to international football after years of limited use.
Somalia have already been given approval by the NSA to use Accra Sports Stadium for their home matches because CAF was unable to certify a stadium in Somalia.
Prof. Osei Sarpong said switching the fixture to Essipong would allow the Accra venue more time to complete the required repairs.
“We were trying to see if we could play one of them, especially the home match for Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium. It will be their home game. So it will really not affect us, so that at least Accra Sports Stadium will also have time to breathe,” he added.
The NSA is also attempting to resolve infrastructure problems at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, with the dressing rooms a particular area of concern.
Ghana’s possible use of Essipong comes as the Black Stars attempt to recover from a poor start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The four-time African champions have lost both of their opening Group C matches, against Ivory Coast and The Gambia. They therefore remain without a point as they try to revive their hopes of reaching the tournament.
