2027 AFCON Qualifiers: NSA seeks full CAF approval for Essipong Stadium for Ghana, Somalia gamesa fixture

The National Sports Authority (NSA) is working to secure full Confederation of African Football (CAF) certification for the Essipong Sports Stadium to host Ghana’s upcoming international fixture against Somalia in November.

Acting NSA Director General Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong confirmed that the Authority is addressing the remaining requirements set by CAF to make the facility eligible to host more international matches.

The Black Stars are scheduled to face Somalia in back-to-back matches on Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Speaking to Citi Sports, Prof. Osei Sarpong said the NSA was working to secure approval for five major stadiums across the country, including the 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 received conditional approval from FIFA and CAF to host the Black Queens’ match against Mauritius on Tuesday, 13 October, marking the stadium’s return to international football after years of limited use.

The NSA is now considering the venue for Somalia’s home fixture against Ghana as part of efforts to ease the pressure on the Accra Sports Stadium and allow more time for repairs at the facility.

Somalia have already received approval from the NSA to use the Accra Sports Stadium for their home matches after CAF failed to certify a stadium in the country.

Prof. Osei Sarpong said moving Somalia’s home fixture to Essipong would give the Accra venue more time to undergo the necessary maintenance work.

“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.

Meanwhile, the NSA is also working to address infrastructure challenges at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, with particular attention to the dressing rooms.

Ghana’s potential use of Essipong comes at a difficult time for the Black Stars, who have endured a disappointing start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The four-time African champions have lost their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leaving them without a point as they seek to revive their qualification hopes.