Caf asks Ghana for hotels in Tamale & Sekondi

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has said it is generally satisfied after inspecting facilities in Ghana for the 2008 African Nations Cup.

But Caf has asked the Ghanaian Local Organising Committee to improve the hotel accommodation facilities offered at some of the proposed venues.

This is the second visit to the country by a Caf inspection delegation since the 2008 Nations Cup was awarded to Ghana on 8 July 2004.

The previous visit took place last August.

Slim Aloulou, a Caf executive member, told a press briefing in Accra on Saturday that his delegation was happy with their findings but expressed fears over insufficient accommodation in Tamale and Sekondi.

"We would like more attention in particular to be given to accommodation."

"This is not a problem in Accra but it is slightly an issue in Sekondi but more crucial in Tamale, Aloulou added.

"A lot of work and effort needs to be put into accommodation in Tamale for the city to host matches."

But Mr Aloulou said that for now there is no cause to panic.

"We are generally happy with what we have seen but we are going to follow the progress very keenly".

"There is still two years before the 2008 finals and that is enough time to construct hotels or renovate existing ones.

"Tamale need to make sure there is sufficient accommodation. If there is not enough we will not force the teams to play in the city."

The delegation met with architects and workers at the various sites apart from Kumasi which will be visited when the Caf team returns by April.

Work has effectively began at all the venues for the tournament. The Ohene Djan stadium in Accra is now closed for the seats to be removed and fences pulled down.

The athletics track will also be removed and the stadium transformed into a football ground.

Kumasi's Baba Yara Stadium will also be renovated while stadia in Sekondi and Tamale will be built from scratch.