Akufo-Addo's Influence, NSA Renovation & Backlash: Why CAF approved Accra Sports Stadium

GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey

The abysmal state of various national stadiums in the country has been a subject of interest to many Ghanaians for some time now, especially since the Black Stars of Ghana lost to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the 2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers on September 5, 2024.

The Angola coach, together with the Black Stars coach, Otto Addo, both admitted that the poor state of the pitch negatively impacted the game.

After the defeat, most Ghanaians took to social media to call out the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Football Association, and the government for failing to fix the stadiums.

This led to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) barring the Black Stars from playing matches in the country.

This GhanaWeb feature details the circumstances and interventions that influenced CAF’s decision to approve the Accra Sports Stadium to host Black Stars matches.

CAF ban:

CAF withdrew its conditional approval for the Baba Yara Stadium due to issues such as an uneven playing field, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover, which became apparent after the Ghana vs. Angola match on September 5, 2024.

In response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to invite CAF officials to inspect the Accra Sports Stadium and the Legon Stadium to see if they meet the criteria for hosting Black Stars games.

President Akufo-Addo speaks to CAF:

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo contacted the President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, Nhyira FM reported.

According to the report, President Akufo-Addo’s call was intended to engage the CAF President on how to ensure the Black Stars can host Sudan in Ghana.

It was rumored that the president lobbied for CAF to certify one of the stadia in the country despite the poor state of the pitches that led to a ban.

“Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo has personally placed a call to CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe over the possibility of CAF certifying a venue in Ghana for Black Stars vs Sudan,” Nhyira FM shared on X.

About CAF’s approval of the Accra Sports Stadium:

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved the Accra Sports Stadium to host Ghana's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

According to Ghana Football Association Executive Council member, Dr. Randy Abbey, CAF gave Ghana conditional approval after some key areas of the facility were improved.

"I have been told that CAF has finally given us conditional approval for the Sudan game. But they will come for reinspection after the match to decide whether the venue is fit to host the next home game in November. So we have a conditional approval for the game," he told Original FM.

CAF officials conducted a three-day inspection at the venue from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29, 2024.

NSA Invests over GH¢200,000 to renovate Accra Sports Stadium:

The National Sports Authority spent an amount of GH¢200,000 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium to meet international standards, ghanasoccernet.com reported.

According to the report, the funds were spent on fertilizers, enhanced labor force, soil upgrades, and specialized irrigation systems, among others.

Sports minister inspects Accra Sports Stadium after CAF's approval:

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, was spotted at the Accra Sports Stadium inspecting the facility following rehabilitation works that were carried out recently.

In a video released by the ministry and shared by Max TV on X, the minister, clad in an all-white kaftan attire, took time to inspect the dressing room, pitch, washroom, and other relevant areas of the facility.

The washrooms were furnished with new items, while the dressing rooms also had new wardrobes and seats for the players to use during the game. Most of the items in the stadium seem to be brand new and well-furnished.

The state of the Accra Sports Stadium has brought joy to many Ghanaians and sports lovers.