Accra Sports Stadium approved for Ghana vs Sudan AFCON qualifier
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given the approval for the Accra Sports Stadium to host the TotalEnergies 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Matchday 3 qualifier between Ghana and Sudan.
The approval was given after the latest round of inspection conducted by a CAF inspection team in the country.
With the clearance, the two facilities can host CAF Category 3 matches that include AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
A letter from CAF sent to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) General Secretary, Mr Prosper Harrison Addo, confirmed the development, yesterday.
“Following a comprehensive review of the reports of the CAF independent inspection regarding the Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadia, we are pleased to inform you that the Accra Sports Stadium has been approved to host the AFCON Qualifiers for Morocco 2025. Specifically, it will host the Group F – Matchday 3 encounter between Ghana and Sudan, which is scheduled for October 11, 2024.
“In light of this approval, we kindly request that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the stadium management team prioritise the necessary enhancements to the pitch and other critical areas of the stadium leading up to the match day to ensure an optimal experience for both teams and the attending fans,” the letter noted.
The letter, however, cautioned that “CAF will continue to closely monitor the readiness of the stadium for the match, as well as for future CAF-sanctioned events.”
This fixture is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024.
Meanwhile, CAF has announced officials for the back-to-back qualifier for the Morocco 2025 AFCON.
According to a CAF statement, Mauritius referee, Patrice Milazar, has been appointed as referee for the first leg clash expected to be played in Accra.
The 38-year old will be assisted by Souru Phatsoane from Lesotho (Assistant I), together with Jean Marc Jeff Pithia (Assistant II – Mauritius) and Ganesh Chutooree (Fourth Referee – Mauritius).
Sekou Wieh Konneh from Liberia will serve as the Match Commissioner. Other Match officials include Bechir Hassani from Tunisia, Referee Assessor and Okey Sylvanus Sylvanus Obi, Security Officer from Nigeria.
Tunisian referee, Mehrez Melki Elki, will take charge of the second leg tie in Sudan three days later.
The 37-year old centre man will be assisted by compatriots, Khalil Hassani (Assistant I), Aymen Ismail (Assistant II) and Mohamed Yousri Bouali (Fourth Referee).
Yacoub Ali Elmi from Djibouti will serve as the Match Commissioner. Waldabet Koissoual from Chad is the Referee Assessor while Mohamed Gremida from Libya works as Security Officer for the match.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER