The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says the country remains on course to host the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in March, despite concerns about the readiness of its proposed stadiums and other facilities.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum dismissed suggestions that Ghana’s plans had changed, insisting the association remains committed to staging the tournament as scheduled.
“We will host the 2027 AFCON in March. Nothing has changed, and we still have what it takes to host the tournament,” he told MAX FM.
The GFA’s position comes amid questions over the condition of the venues being considered for the competition and the progress of the infrastructure work required to bring them up to Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
Accra Sports Stadium is currently understood to be the only venue in Ghana certified for CAF competitions. Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi and Cape Coast Sports Stadium are among the other facilities under scrutiny as officials assess the upgrades needed before the tournament.
With the competition scheduled for March 2027, there are concerns over whether the work can be completed in time to ensure the stadiums are suitable for teams, officials and supporters from across the continent.
Asante Twum, however, defended GFA President Kurt Okraku’s decision to bring junior international tournaments to Ghana. He said hosting such events was necessary if the country was to build the experience and capacity required to organise major football competitions.
“President Okraku had a reason for bringing junior tournaments to Ghana because he knows that if we do not host any of them, we are not ready to grow,” he said.
The GFA communications director also highlighted Ghana’s long absence from hosting a major continental tournament. The country has not staged the senior Africa Cup of Nations since the 2008 edition.
He said Okraku wanted Ghana to organise another major competition successfully, with the proposed U-20 tournament offering an important opportunity to do so.
“Since hosting the 2008 AFCON, we have not hosted another major tournament. The GFA President hopes to see another tournament successfully organised in Ghana. That is the hope,” he added.
Hosting the 2027 U-20 AFCON would allow Ghana to welcome some of Africa’s most promising young players while demonstrating the condition of its sporting facilities and its ability to manage a continental tournament.
The event could also give local organisers valuable experience and support the development of youth football, but only if the required preparations are completed to CAF’s standards.
The condition of the stadiums, supporting infrastructure and other tournament facilities will therefore remain central to Ghana’s hosting plans. With March 2027 approaching, progress on the upgrades will determine whether the country can turn the GFA’s assurances into a successfully delivered competition.
