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Tag: Cape Coast Stadium

  • Cape Coast Stadium to be designated exclusively for Black Stars matches – Kofi Adams

    Cape Coast Stadium to be designated exclusively for Black Stars matches – Kofi Adams

    Sports Minister Kofi Adams has revealed that the government plans to renovate the Cape Coast Stadium and make it the official home ground for the Black Stars.

    This decision is aimed at addressing Ghana’s poor sports facilities, which previously led to a ban on hosting home games due to the absence of a CAF-approved stadium for top-tier matches.

    Speaking to 3Sports on Sports Station, Adams confirmed that once the stadium is refurbished, it will no longer be available for club matches.

    “If you look at the key stadium facilities we have, Cape Coast is the one that we will not spend so much refurbish it quickly, and not allow any club to play there; just keep it as a national stadium for Black Stars only, for the meantime.”

    The Buem Member of Parliament revealed that the plan is to have the stadium match-fit for the September and October window, when the Black Stars take on their next qualifiers. After that, the ministry’s focus will shift to renovating the Accra and Kumasi stadia to bring them up to competition standards.

    “So we would have prepared it for the September and October window when we play the next qualifiers. After that, we can close Accra and Kumasi as well and make sure they are refurbished for competitions,”

    The Cape Coast Stadium, which can hold up to 15,000 spectators, was officially opened in 2016 by former President John Dramani Mahama.

    Although it hosted the 13th African Games and was the venue for the Black Princesses’ gold-winning performance, it has not been used for senior international matches since Ghana’s 1-0 victory over South Africa in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in November 2021.

    The stadium has been sidelined because it does not meet CAF’s licensing requirements.

  • Cape Coast and Accra Sports stadia closed for maintenance

    Cape Coast and Accra Sports stadia closed for maintenance

    The National Sports Authority (NSA) has temporarily shut down the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Sports Stadium for much-needed maintenance.

    This move aims to upgrade the facilities to meet international standards ahead of upcoming matches, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Sudan in October, according to reports by JoySports.

    The closure follows a directive from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) prohibiting the use of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for senior international matches due to its poor pitch condition. CAF recommended reconstructing the playing surface, but the NSA is taking temporary measures to ensure the stadium’s availability for the AFCON qualifier.

    In response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to engage CAF in inspecting the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon. While Accra Stadium is listed in CAF’s database, it requires significant upgrades. The Legon stadium, however, may not meet the necessary standards.

    Possible Venues for AFCON Qualifier

    • Cape Coast Sports Stadium: Likely host for Ghana vs. Sudan, pending unforeseen circumstances
    • Accra Sports Stadium: Requires upgrades to meet CAF standards
    • University of Ghana Stadium: May not meet necessary standards
    • Alternate option: Playing the game in Togo

    The GFA held discussions with the Sports Ministry and NSA on September 6, 2024, regarding the urgent need to renovate the Cape Coast Sports Stadium following the Black Stars’ defeat to Palancas Negras at Baba Yara Stadium. The Cape Coast Stadium, with a capacity of 20,000, has undergone renovations before, including a 2019 maintenance project.

    The Accra Sports Stadium has also faced maintenance issues in the past, with a previous closure in December 2023. The NSA’s efforts aim to ensure Ghana’s stadiums meet international standards, avoiding potential embarrassments like the Baba Yara Stadium’s prohibition

  • ‘Dumsor’ disrupts Ghana vs Ethiopia match at All African Games at Cape Coast Stadium

    ‘Dumsor’ disrupts Ghana vs Ethiopia match at All African Games at Cape Coast Stadium

    Cape Coast Stadium experienced a power outage during a match between the Ghanaian Black Princesses and the Ethiopian team on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

    This disruption occurred during the ongoing All African Games, leaving the stadium without electricity for more than 20 minutes. Sports journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo reported that the power outage occurred approximately 36 minutes into the match.

    “The lights have gone out inside the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, 36 minutes into Ghana vs. Ethiopia. The lights are not back yet after almost 20 minutes of waiting. Waiting continues! This is unacceptable,” he posted on X.

    While power was later restored for the game to continue, the journalist reported that the stadium experienced yet another power cut right before halftime, prompting the referee to end the game.

    “Lights went off again on the stroke of half time, so ref just ended it with some minutes still left of additional time.

    “But lights are back on again as the players emerge for the start of the second half,” he updated his followers.

    The Ghanaian government invested $195 million solely in infrastructure for the games scheduled from March 8, 2024, to March 23, 2024.

    Additionally, an extra $48 million was allocated for operational expenses related to the games. Despite this substantial investment, critics have voiced concerns about the inadequate organisation of the event.

    Despite these criticisms, the match between the Black Princesses and Ethiopia concluded with a 1-0 victory for the Ghanaian team.

  • You don’t understand what we do – Deputy NSA boss to critics calling for his dismissal

    You don’t understand what we do – Deputy NSA boss to critics calling for his dismissal

    The Deputy Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Abdul Majeed Bawah, has defended his position amid calls for his dismissal.

    The demand for his removal follows CAF’s exclusion of the Cape Coast Stadium for Dreams FC and Medeama SC’s group phase games. Bawah asserts that those advocating for his and Professor Peter Twumasi’s removal lack a proper understanding of their responsibilities.

    In an interview with Citi Sports, he stated that criticism stems from a lack of research and an uninformed perspective, exacerbated by the diverse nature of the media.

    “If they understand the magnitude of our mandate and the resources available to us, people will not be calling for our dismissal. The sports media is so diverse, and few do proper research to understand what we do,” he started.

    “Because everyone loves football and because whatever the people in the GFA do is correct, we are always the ones doing the wrong thing. That is not the case; we make mistakes, but I do not think sacking us is the right way. We need to collaborate with other bodies, and that is where the problem is,” he ended.

  • CAF bans the use of Cape Coast Stadium for international matches

    CAF bans the use of Cape Coast Stadium for international matches

    The Cape Coast Stadium has been banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for international matches due to its declared unfitness.

    As a result, Ghanaian champions, Medeama, have had to move their CAF Champions’ League group matches to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi as an alternative venue.

    This ban on the Cape Coast Stadium will also affect Ghana’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Madagascar. The Black Stars will now have Kumasi as their preferred home ground.

    The decision to close the Cape Coast Stadium was communicated in a report to the Ghana Football Association by CAF’s Technical Development Director, Raul Chipenda, following an inspection of the facility by CAF. The report cited numerous shortcomings and deficiencies and recommended essential renovations and upgrades to meet compliance requirements.

    The concerns outlined in the CAF report include issues related to the stadium’s functionality, design, comfort, and the quality of equipment.

    The inspection report made it clear that various areas of the stadium needed significant improvement and renovation to meet CAF’s standards and requirements for modern football stadiums. Consequently, the stadium must undergo refurbishment to meet the standards expected of a modern football venue.

    CAF has further recommended that only companies with a proven track record in the construction and renovation of modern stadiums should be selected to carry out the necessary refurbishments.

    “Based on the inspection report, we regret to inform you that the stadium does not meet the set CAF stadium minimum requirements to host CAF Senior International matches,” the report said.
    Mr Chipenda said the facility would only be approved if all their recommendations were strictly met after re-inspection. 

    Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff with Nigeria last year, Kumasi has become the preferred home ground for competitive matches involving the Black Stars, having previously played their matches in Cape Coast.

    Medeama hosted Remo Stars of Nigeria and Horoya AC of Guinea at the Cape Coast Stadium in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League. As a result of the new CAF directive, the ‘Mauve and Yellow’ will host Group D rivals, CR Belouizad, in Kumasi on December 1, Young Africans on December 8, and Al Ahly on February 23, next year.

  • Cape Coast Sports Stadium taken off national grid over GHS 513,000 debt

    Cape Coast Sports Stadium taken off national grid over GHS 513,000 debt

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut the power supply to the Cape Coast Sports Stadium over legacy debts of GHS 513,000.

    The move forms part of the company’s nationwide action to reduce debts owed to ensure it stays in business.

    Since Monday, March 20, it had embarked on an aggressive revenue mobilisation drive as part of efforts to reduce its debt situation, which was affecting operations.

    ECG disconnects Cape Coast Sports Stadium over GH¢513k legacy debt

    This is targeted at every customer owing the ECG and not only state-owned enterprises.

    In an interview on Tuesday, Alexander Tieku, the Regional Sports Director, said the disconnection would greatly affect its activities as a monumental state asset.

    ECG disconnects Cape Coast Sports Stadium over GH¢513k legacy debt

    He explained that the debt inherited many years ago was being settled on arranged negotiations with the ECG when the facility was first disconnected sometime last year, and some payments were made.

    Management had also engaged officials of the ECG to install pre-paid meters to direct a chunk of the bills to the various business units at the stadium, which had been carried out with 20 more to be done for smooth operations.

    Businesses at the stadium include hostels, restaurants, offices, clinics, and gyms, which were connected to only one post-paid meter, leading to the compilation of huge debts.

    Mr Tieku described the situation as ‘unfortunate’ and ‘surprising’ due to the agreement reached by both parties.

    So far, the Cape Coast new stadium is the only state-owned organisation affected by the disconnection exercise in the region.

  • Club Licensing Committee releases decisions on GPL match venues

    The Ghana Football Association’s Club Licensing Committee has made conclusions regarding the match venues Premier League Clubs presented in regards to the infrastructural requirements for their respective License application processes.

    Based on the findings the Club Licensing Manager provided during the inspection visits to the various locations, the committee made its conclusions.

    The GFA Club Licensing Committee was not satisfied with the reports of all the venues submitted. However, five venues namely, WAFA Park, Accra Sports Stadium, Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Cape Coast Stadium and the Len Clay Stadium have been granted conditional approval pending the correction and or defects as stated in the inspection reports that was submitted on September 30, 2022.

    Meanwhile, 13 Clubs had their  Main venues “Not Satisfactory” enough and have been asked to correct certain defects for the facility to be re – inspected between August 23 to 25th, 2022.

    The Club Licensing Committee shall be making final decisions on the venues after the final inspection on August 26, 2022.

    The decisions on the match venues shall be final for the period of the first four match weeks of the first round.

    The Club Licensing Committee shall only review decisions of the match venues to update the venue list after September 30, 2022.

    Source:ghanafootballassociation

     

  • Senegalese referee Marguette Ndiaye to officiate Ghana-Sudan AFCON 2021 qualifier

    Senegalese official Marguette Ndiaye will be the center man for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Sudan.

    The game scheduled for Friday March 27th, will be played at the Cape Coast Stadium.

    Marguette Ndiaye will be assisted on the lines by compatriots El Hadji Malick Samba (Assistant 1), Serigne Cheikh Toure (Assistant 2) and Daouda Gueye (fourth official).

    Sanusi Mohammed from Nigeria will be the Match Commissioner.

    The experienced referee has in the past officiated in a game involving the Black Stars, when Ghana hosted Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

    He was also the referee that handled the CAF Confederation Cup match between Medeama and MO Bejaiai in 2016.

    Ghana are top of Group C of the AFCON qualifiers after wins against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Cape Coast Stadium pitch a worry for Ghana ahead of South Africa game

    The Ghana FA are scratching their heads over the state of the pitch of the Cape Coast Stadium for next week’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa.

    The lack of permanent groundsman has left the pitch is a bad state with the grass now brown with just nine days to the match against Bafana Bafana.

    Ghana FA sent some of its leading officials to inspect the stadium, hotel and training pitches in Cape Coast on Monday for next week’s match which led to the discovery.

    Executive Council members Frederick Achempong and Linford Asamoah were joined by the Deputy General Secretary of the GFA Alex Asante as they travelled from Accra to assess the city’s level of preparedness for the game.

    Read:CAF team inspects Cape Coast Stadium ahead of AWCON 2018

    The Regional FA chairman Robert Duncan and the Regional Sports Development Officer Sarfo Adjei met the delegation when they inspected the stadium and the other training pitches.

    The grass at the Cape Coast Stadium was brown when the delegation visited the place sparking worries that the field would be patchy for the match but officials assured the GFA that by match day it will be lush green as work is underway on it.

    The delegation also inspected the floodlights and standby generators for the game as the match will be played at 7pm to allow workers the time to attend the game.

    The two hotels scheduled for South Africa and Ghana respectively are Elmina Beach Hotel and the Royal Ridge Hotels which led the delegation to visit the two places of accommodation for both teams.

    Read:Cape Coast Stadium 80% ready for AWCON

    They were satisfied with the hotels but asked work on the pitch and other minor things to be escalated before next week.

    Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah will have all his 23 players available on November 12 ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe.

    The European leagues will break this coming weekend with players free to join their respective national teams for the various competitions and qualifiers

    Coach Appiah is expected to have his 23-man squad in camp two days- before the first game against South Africa on November 14 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com