Ghana’s ambition to host the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) has encountered a major setback after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reportedly raised concerns about the condition and readiness of proposed stadium facilities.

The development has placed pressure on Ghanaian football authorities to address infrastructure shortcomings and ensure that the country meets the competition’s hosting requirements.

Stadium readiness is a critical part of CAF’s hosting assessment, with facilities expected to meet standards covering playing surfaces, dressing rooms, floodlighting, media facilities, security and spectator accommodation.

Ghana’s proposed hosting venues include five stadiums spread across Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast. However, CAF’s findings suggest that substantial investment and rehabilitation will be required before the country can secure final approval.

The Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi has emerged as the biggest concern. The 40,528-capacity facility was declared non-compliant with CAF Category 4 requirements following an inspection conducted between January 12 and 16, 2026.

Inspectors identified a poor playing surface, defective irrigation systems, outdated drainage infrastructure and inadequate maintenance equipment. The assessment also highlighted weaknesses in CCTV surveillance, electronic access control, spectator monitoring, dressing rooms and media facilities.

CAF indicated that the stadium would require comprehensive technical, operational and safety improvements before it could be considered for the tournament. A further inspection and certification would also be necessary.

The Accra Sports Stadium has also come under scrutiny. Although it remains one of Ghana’s most important football venues, the inspection report identified deteriorating metallic structures, including corrosion and rust, alongside weaknesses in crowd management, emergency evacuation arrangements and security infrastructure.

Accra Sports Stadium faces major rehabilitation demands ahead of AFCON U20.

The facility was classified as partially compliant, meaning significant improvements would be needed before it could host the competition.

Other proposed venues also require attention

The University of Ghana Sports Stadium received the strongest assessment among the five proposed venues. The 10,000-capacity facility was classified as compliant with conditions, although improvements are still required in its VIP facilities, media infrastructure and security arrangements.

University of Ghana Stadium emerges as Ghana’s strongest proposed AFCON U20 venue.

The Nduom Sports Complex in Cape Coast also received a compliant-with-conditions assessment. Its outstanding issues include pitch maintenance, dressing rooms, medical facilities, media infrastructure and security. Inspectors additionally raised concerns about an access road that was under construction during the inspection.

Nduom Sports Complex among venues recommended for Ghana’s U20 tournament bid.

Meanwhile, the Cape Coast Sports Stadium was classified as partially compliant, with concerns involving its playing surface, irrigation, media facilities and spectator safety.

Cape Coast Stadium requires improvements to meet CAF competition standards.

The challenges extend beyond the main competition stadiums. CAF also identified shortcomings at Ghana’s 10 proposed training facilities, including inadequate playing surfaces, poor drainage, insufficient floodlighting and poorly equipped dressing rooms.

Some training grounds were also found to lack proper perimeter fencing, access-control systems and dedicated maintenance personnel. CAF requires training facilities to provide a minimum floodlighting level of 500 lux.

Ghana still has a chance to secure the tournament

Despite the concerns, CAF has not declared Ghana’s hosting bid unsuccessful. Its assessment considers the proposal viable, provided the necessary infrastructure improvements are completed within agreed timelines.

The inspection report recommends prioritising the University of Ghana Sports Stadium and Nduom Sports Complex because they require comparatively lower levels of investment.

It also calls for major rehabilitation programmes at Baba Yara and Accra Sports Stadiums, alongside targeted improvements at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

CAF has urged Ghana to establish a phased infrastructure programme with clearly defined budgets, implementation deadlines and follow-up inspections.

The country’s ability to deliver the required improvements, secure funding and satisfy CAF’s technical requirements will therefore be crucial to its ambition of hosting the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The latest findings put Ghana’s sports infrastructure under renewed scrutiny, with the country facing a significant test of its ability to prepare world-class facilities for an international youth football competition.

Debibi United President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander Ababio has strongly criticised Bibiani Gold Stars head coach Petros Koukouras following the Greek trainer’s controversial comments about the condition of Debibi Presby Park.

Ababio described the coach’s remarks as reckless, unreasonable and unprofessional after Koukouras likened the playing surface to a cassava plantation rather than a football pitch.

Debibi United Players Celebrate Team Unity

The disagreement follows Gold Stars’ 1-0 defeat to Debibi United in their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League Matchday Seven encounter on Sunday, October 18.

Speaking after the match, Koukouras expressed frustration with the state of the playing surface, arguing that its condition made it difficult for his team to play its preferred style of football.

The Gold Stars coach said he did not consider the venue suitable for competitive football, adding that it appeared better suited for cassava cultivation.

His comments sparked a strong reaction from the Debibi United hierarchy, with Ababio questioning the appropriateness of the comparison.

In an interview with Nhyira FM, the Debibi United CEO fired back at the Greek coach, saying:

“If that’s how they grow cassava in his country [Greece], then I don’t know how they feed them.”

Ababio further urged Koukouras to concentrate on his coaching responsibilities rather than making what he considered inappropriate remarks about the club’s home ground.

Bibiani Gold Stars Players During a League Match

“He should think about his job and stop saying nonsense. It was a reckless and unreasonable statement,” he added.

The controversy has once again drawn attention to the condition of football pitches in Ghana, with playing surfaces remaining a major talking point among coaches, players and football supporters.

Despite the criticism, Debibi United will take encouragement from their important victory over the former Ghana Premier League champions.

Maxwell Agyemang scored shortly before half-time to secure all three points for the newly promoted side, ending their three-match winless run and lifting them out of the relegation zone.

Debibi United Squad Preparing for Competition

Ababio has also made it clear that the club’s immediate priority is to maintain its place in the country’s top-flight competition.

“Our target is to remain in the league despite our poor start to the season,” he said.

The exchange between the two football figures adds another chapter to the growing debate over infrastructure and playing conditions in the Ghana Premier League.

Asante Kotoko will be looking to strengthen their Ghana Premier League campaign when they welcome defending champions Medeama SC to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, November 1, in a highly anticipated Matchday Nine encounter.

The Porcupine Warriors head into the contest eager to return to winning ways after dropping points in a 1-1 draw against FC Ashanti Gold ’04 at the Len Clay Stadium last weekend.

The result leaves Kotoko eighth on the league table with 12 points from eight matches, putting additional pressure on the Kumasi-based giants to produce a positive result against the league leaders.

Kotoko have recorded two victories, one draw and two defeats in their last five league matches, scoring nine goals and conceding the same number. Their inconsistency has highlighted the need for improved performances as the competition gathers momentum.

However, the former Ghanaian champions will take confidence from their home record. All three of their league victories this season have come at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Their recent home record against Medeama also offers encouragement, with Kotoko winning three, drawing one and losing two of their last six league meetings against the Tarkwa-based side at the venue since the 2020/21 season.

Medeama, meanwhile, arrive in Kumasi determined to protect their position at the top of the table and strengthen their title ambitions.

The defending champions have collected 17 points from eight matches and have won four of their last five league outings. Their attacking strength has been particularly impressive, with 14 goals scored and seven conceded during that period.

They responded to their first defeat of the campaign against FC Samartex with a narrow 1-0 victory over Aduana FC, demonstrating their ability to recover from setbacks.

Despite their impressive overall form, Medeama have experienced some difficulties away from home. They have managed just one victory, two draws and one defeat in four away league matches this season.

Sunday’s fixture will therefore provide an important examination of their ability to maintain their momentum against one of the country’s most successful clubs.

A crucial battle for both sides

The encounter presents different objectives for the two teams. Kotoko need maximum points to close the five-point gap separating them from the league leaders, while Medeama will be looking to consolidate their position at the summit.

Kotoko’s home advantage and historical record against Medeama at Baba Yara could prove important, but the visitors’ attacking form makes them a serious threat.

With both clubs having plenty to play for, the Matchday Nine encounter is expected to attract significant attention from Ghanaian football supporters.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 3:00 pm GMT at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Match information

• Competition: Ghana Premier League 2026/27

• Matchday: 9

• Fixture: Asante Kotoko vs Medeama SC

• Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026

• Kick-off: 3:00 pm GMT

• Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi

ACCRA, Ghana — Hearts of Oak are targeting another victory as they prepare for their upcoming Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter against Debibi, with the technical team eager to maintain the club’s winning momentum.

The Phobians are chasing their fourth consecutive win, a run that would further strengthen their position in the league and boost confidence within the squad.

Head coach Hearts of Oak head coach will be looking to ensure that his players approach the fixture with the right mentality, discipline and tactical organisation as they seek to secure maximum points.

The anticipated encounter presents another opportunity for Hearts of Oak to demonstrate consistency and build on their recent performances. However, the team will need to remain focused and avoid complacency as they face a Debibi side determined to compete.

The team’s coach, Nebojsa Kapor, has emphasised the importance of confidence and the right mindset, particularly when playing away from home. He believes the squad has the ability to win on the road and is focused on keeping the players motivated as expectations rise.

Hearts’ recent form has strengthened their position among the league’s leading sides. According to reports ahead of the fixture, the Phobians had climbed to second place with 17 points, while Debibi United had struggled for consistent results.

However, Debibi United will have the advantage of playing at home and will be determined to challenge the visitors. Hearts must therefore combine confidence with discipline if they are to secure the desired result.

The match, scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, offers Hearts of Oak an opportunity to extend their winning run to four consecutive league victories and maintain pressure on the teams above them.

Ghana’s National Under-15 boys’ team have concluded their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Colombia, delivering a strong finish to an impressive international tournament.

The young Ghanaian side, known as the Black Comets, produced a dominant performance in their final match to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Brazil in the ranking play-offs.

Ghana’s victory over Colombia secured seventh place in the overall standings, capping a campaign in which the team recorded eight wins in 10 matches and scored 44 goals.

Ghana Respond After Setbacks

The Black Comets entered the final match determined to finish their campaign on a positive note after suffering disappointment in the latter stages of the competition.

Ghana’s hopes of progressing further were ended by Paraguay in the quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, followed by a 7-6 defeat in the penalty shoot-out.

The team subsequently suffered a 7-1 loss to Brazil in the play-offs for fifth to eighth place.

However, the young Ghanaians responded impressively against Colombia, producing a four-goal performance to bring their participation in the tournament to a successful conclusion.

An Impressive Tournament Record

Despite the setbacks in the knockout and ranking stages, Ghana demonstrated considerable attacking strength throughout the competition.

The team won all five of its group-stage matches, scoring 27 goals and conceding just three.

They continued their progress with a 2-1 victory over Korea Republic in the Round of 32 before defeating Mexico 5-2 to reach the quarter-finals.

Shamsudeen Sulemana emerged as one of Ghana’s standout players, scoring four goals in the win over Mexico. Abdul Aziz Issah also made significant contributions, scoring important goals during the tournament, including against Korea Republic, Mexico and Colombia.

A Positive Sign for Ghana’s Youth Football

Ghana’s seventh-place finish, eight victories and 44 goals provide encouraging indicators of the team’s potential and attacking quality.

The tournament also offered the young players valuable experience against international opposition, exposing them to different playing styles and the demands of competitive football.

Although Ghana fell short of reaching the semi-finals, the commanding victory over Colombia ensured that the team left Azerbaijan with renewed confidence and a positive result to build on.

The performance will offer encouragement to Ghanaian football supporters as the country continues to develop the next generation of national team players.

*Source note: This report is independently written from publicly reported tournament results and campaign statistics. *