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National Sports Authority seeks CAF approval for Essipong Stadium

The National Sports Authority (NSA) is officially seeking approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to move Ghana’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Somalia to the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi. The match, scheduled for November 11, was originally intended for the Accra Sports Stadium, but concerns over facility readiness have prompted the search for an alternative venue. Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, the Acting Director-General of the NSA, confirmed the shift in focus due to ongoing maintenance challenges at the national capital’s primary sporting facility. Specifically, repairs to the floodlights at the Accra Sports Stadium are currently underway and may not be completed in time for the high-stakes international fixture. This uncertainty has led the authority to prioritize Essipong, which has recently resumed hosting competitive events. To ensure the Essipong Sports Stadium is ready for international scrutiny, the NSA is overseeing final upgrades to bring the facility in line with CAF’s rigorous standards. Professor Sarpong emphasized that the authority is pursuing full certification to ensure that the venue is capable of hosting top-tier continental matches. The move marks a significant step for the Sekondi-Takoradi facility, as it aims to return to the forefront of Ghanaian football infrastructure. The final decision rests with CAF, whose inspectors must verify that the pitch, lighting, and spectator facilities at Essipong meet the requirements for an AFCON qualifying match. If approved, the shift will provide football fans in the Western Region with a rare opportunity to watch the Black Stars in a competitive fixture. Meanwhile, the NSA continues to work on the Accra Sports Stadium to prevent further disruptions to the national team’s home schedule in future rounds of the tournament.