By Kwame Bediako
The Accra Sports Stadium will be the centre stage for Ghana’s highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Chad on March 17, 2025. This matchday five encounter marks a pivotal moment for the Black Stars, as they seek to advance in the qualifying campaign.
The Accra Sports Stadium, once a regular venue for the Black Stars, has faced a challenging period over the past year. It last hosted a competitive match, a 2-1 defeat to Niger in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier in November 2024. Following this match, the stadium was temporarily closed for extensive pitch maintenance.
The National Sports Authority (NSA) enlisted Green Grass Technology to address the deterioration of the playing surface, and the results have been noticeable. The pitch has been completely restored, and preliminary reports indicate significant improvements in its condition.
The decision to prioritise the Accra Sports Stadium over other potential venues, including the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, reflects a shift in CAF’s stance on facility standards. In September 2024, CAF withdrew its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium due to “technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field”.
This decision came after multiple warnings for non-compliance, highlighting the importance of meeting FIFA Category A standards for international matches. In response, the NSA swiftly acted to address the issues at Accra, leveraging Green Grass Technology’s expertise to ensure the stadium’s readiness for the qualifier against Chad.
The choice of Accra as the sole approved venue by CAF comes after years of the stadium operating as the secondary option for the Black Stars. Its significant upgrade and subsequent approval for the penultimate home game against Sudan earlier in the year have revitalised its status as a premier football venue in Ghana.
