Somalia seek Ghana approval to host 2027 AFCON qualifier in Accra

Somalia has asked Ghana for permission to use the Accra Sports Stadium as its home venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after being left without a CAF-approved stadium.

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has formally written to Ghana's National Sports Authority (NSA) requesting approval to host its home qualifying matches at the renovated stadium.

The request comes after the Accra Sports Stadium was restored to the Confederation of African Football's list of approved international venues following months of renovation, making it Ghana's only certified stadium for CAF and FIFA-sanctioned matches.

If the request is granted, Somalia will host Ivory Coast in Accra on 29 September, four days after opening their qualifying campaign away to Gambia.

The Ocean Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Ghana, Ivory Coast and Gabon, meaning the Accra Sports Stadium could host home fixtures involving two teams from the same qualifying group.

Ghana is also expected to stage its home qualifiers at the venue, with the Black Stars set to face Gambia and Somalia in Accra during the campaign.

The stadium has become an increasingly important venue for African international football, with other nations previously turning to Ghana to host matches when their own facilities failed to meet CAF standards.

The top two teams from each qualifying group will secure places at the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.