Ghana confident of hosting 2027 U-20 AFCON despite concerns over preparations

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum says the country remains confident of hosting the 2027 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations despite concerns over preparations for the tournament.

Reports have suggested that Ghana could risk losing the hosting rights because of delays in funding preparations and concerns about the pace of infrastructure upgrades at the proposed venues.

However, Asante Twum has dismissed the concerns, insisting the tournament will take place in March 2027 as planned.

“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.

He said GFA president Kurt Okraku remained committed to bringing major football competitions to Ghana as part of efforts to strengthen the country's football structures and create more opportunities for young players.

“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 ourselves,” Asante Twum said.

Ghana was awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 U-20 AFCON in April 2026, with the tournament expected to form part of activities marking the country's 70th Independence anniversary celebrations.

Asante Twum also defended the decision to host youth competitions in Ghana, pointing to the value of organising tournaments on home soil.

“It was a good decision to bring the African Games and the WAFU U-17 tournament to Cape Coast, Ghana. As to the benefits, it is subjective,” he added.

He noted that Ghana had not hosted another senior Africa Cup of Nations since staging the 2008 tournament, making the opportunity to organise another major continental competition an important ambition for the GFA leadership.

“Since hosting the 2008 AFCON, we have not hosted another major tournament. It is the GFA President’s hope to have another one organised successfully. That is the hope,” he said.

The Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Cape Coast Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium have been earmarked as proposed venues for the 2027 tournament, while the Accra Sports Stadium is also being considered.

Ghana last hosted the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 1999, when the Black Satellites won the title on home soil.

The upcoming tournament would offer Ghana another opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure, strengthen its reputation as a host of continental competitions and support the development of young footballers.