CAF Clears TnA Stadium for Continental Matches
Tarkwa’s TnA Stadium earns CAF Category 2 approval, marking a major milestone for Ghana’s football infrastructure and opening the door to historic continental fixtures.
Ghana has recorded another milestone in the development of its football infrastructure after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granted Category 2 approval to the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa following a comprehensive technical inspection. The approval makes the stadium eligible to host CAF youth and women’s national team qualifying matches, as well as preliminary round fixtures of CAF inter-club competitions, subject to CAF’s final confirmation in accordance with its competition regulations.
The decision represents a significant boost for Ghana’s efforts to improve sporting infrastructure to meet continental standards and reflects the collaborative work of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Medeama Sporting Club, the stadium’s management and other stakeholders who undertook extensive upgrades to satisfy CAF’s latest stadium requirements. Despite the approval, CAF has attached a number of conditions that must be fulfilled before the venue hosts future continental fixtures.
Among the immediate requirements is a revision of the stadium’s approved seating capacity. Some seats with obstructed views caused by structural roof-support columns must be excluded to ensure every spectator has an unobstructed view of the playing field. CAF has also directed that all minor deficiencies identified during the technical inspection be rectified before the stadium stages its next continental match. The required improvements are expected to be completed within timelines agreed upon between the GFA and CAF to ensure full compliance with the governing body’s infrastructure regulations.
As part of the next phase of the assessment process, CAF will assign a Stadium Infrastructure Inspector to observe a designated match at the venue under live operating conditions. The inspection will evaluate the stadium’s performance before, during and after the fixture, focusing on critical areas including infrastructure functionality, safety and security arrangements, crowd management, media operations, broadcasting facilities and overall adherence to CAF Stadium Regulations. CAF indicated that a final determination on the stadium’s suitability to host future CAF and FIFA competitions will be made after reviewing the Inspector’s report and verifying that all outstanding corrective measures have been fully implemented.
The GFA welcomed the approval, describing it as another important step in strengthening Ghana’s ability to host international football competitions. The association reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Medeama Sporting Club, the stadium’s management and all relevant stakeholders to ensure every outstanding observation is addressed promptly and effectively. The football governing body also expressed appreciation to CAF for its technical guidance and support throughout the inspection and approval process, reiterating its commitment to ensuring Ghana’s football infrastructure continues to meet the highest continental and international standards.
The achievement also highlights the growing role of private-sector investment in sports infrastructure. The reconstructed Tarkwa and Aboso Stadium, now known as TnA Stadium, was financed by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation at a cost of more than US$16 million and officially handed over in August 2024. The modern facility has become one of Ghana’s most significant privately funded sporting infrastructure projects and is expected to transform football in the Western Region by bringing continental football to Tarkwa for the first time. Beyond expanding opportunities for clubs and national teams, the development is expected to stimulate local economic activity, enhance sports tourism and reinforce the region’s growing importance within Ghana’s football landscape.
Source: GFA Communications
Author: Joyce Owusu
