The National Sports Authority (NSA) has closed down the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium for essential maintenance in preparation for upcoming international matches.

The closures are part of a broader effort to upgrade these venues to meet international standards.

This decision follows a recent directive from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which banned the use of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for CAF/FIFA senior international matches due to the poor condition of the pitch.

CAF recommended a complete reconstruction of the playing surface at Baba Yara Stadium.

In light of this, the NSA is making interim repairs to the Accra and Cape Coast stadiums to ensure they are ready to host key matches, including Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Sudan in October.

In response to the situation at Baba Yara, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to work with CAF to inspect both the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.

The aim is to determine if either venue is suitable for hosting the crucial AFCON qualifier.

While the Accra Sports Stadium is listed in CAF's database, significant upgrades are still required.

The University of Ghana Stadium, however, appears unlikely to meet the standards needed for approval.

On September 6, 2024, the GFA met with the Sports Ministry and the NSA to discuss the urgent need for repairs at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, following the Black Stars' recent defeat to the Palancas Negras at Baba Yara.

As it stands, Cape Coast Stadium is the most likely venue for the match against Sudan, unless unforeseen circumstances arise.

Should no venue in Ghana meet the necessary standards in time, the GFA is also considering the option of hosting the game in Togo.