Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has confirmed that the country has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but has warned that significant improvements to the nation’s sporting infrastructure are needed before the tournament can be successfully staged.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarded the hosting rights to Ghana in May 2026, marking the second time the country will stage the continental youth championship after famously hosting and winning the tournament in 1999.

Speaking on the development on 3FM’s Sunrise, Adams welcomed the news but stressed that the work had only just begun.

“Ghana has gotten the bid to host the U-20 African Championship next year, but we cannot host these events if we don’t upgrade some of our facilities,” the Sports Minister said.

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His comments come amid growing concerns over the condition of some of the country’s major sporting venues, including the Accra Sports Stadium, which is expected to undergo extensive renovations to meet CAF’s hosting requirements.

Beyond crowning Africa’s youth champions, the competition will also serve as the qualification tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the top four teams earning places at the global showpiece.