CAF identifies infrastructure failures at four Ghana stadiums for U20 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has flagged significant infrastructure deficiencies at four out of five stadiums proposed by Ghana to host the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. Following a technical inspection, the continental football body revealed that major venues, including the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi and the Accra Sports Stadium, fail to meet Category 4 standards. This assessment places Ghana's hosting bid under scrutiny, as the inspection team identified critical failures that require immediate and extensive rehabilitation.

According to the CAF inspection report, the University of Ghana Sports Stadium is currently the only venue among the five proposed that is compliant with hosting conditions. The four other venues—the Accra Sports Stadium, Baba Yara Stadium, Cape Coast Stadium, and the Paa Kwesi Nduom Sports Complex—require varying degrees of improvement. Specifically, the Baba Yara Stadium was deemed non-compliant due to issues ranging from poor pitch quality to inadequate media facilities and insufficient security systems.

The technical inspectors highlighted that major investments are needed to bring these facilities up to international requirements. CAF has emphasized that any conditional approvals for the venues will be strictly linked to confirmed funding and clear timelines for completion. The deficiencies noted include not only the playing surfaces but also the infrastructure surrounding media operations and safety protocols, which are essential for Category 4 certification.

The findings present a significant hurdle for Ghana as it seeks to finalize the hosting rights for the youth tournament. To move forward, the government and sports authorities must demonstrate a commitment to these rehabilitation projects. CAF has urged urgent action to rectify the identified issues, making it clear that the success of the 2027 U20 AFCON bid depends on the implementation of these infrastructure improvements.