Accra Sports Stadium
Encyclopedia
Accra Sports Stadium is a multi-use, 40,000 all-seater stadium
in Accra
, Ghana
, mostly used for association football matches. Originally known as the Accra Sports Stadium, the stadium was renamed after Ohene Djan, the country's first Director of Sports, in 2004. Its renaming was quite controversial and opposed by many in Accra
's Ga
community who felt that a prominent Ga should be given the honor since the stadium is a centerpiece of downtown Accra. There has been ongoing controversy about the name of the stadium. On June 16 2011, the name 'Ohene Djan Stadium' on the stadium building was changed to 'Accra Sports Stadium' without any official announcement.
As a designated venue of some of the 2008 African Cup of Nations
matches, the stadium was rebuilt, upgraded and modernized to meet FIFA
standards. Work on the stadium was completed in October 2007. It was inaugurated with a four-nations tournament that Ghana won (the Zenith Cup).
The stadium is also the home of one of Africa's most popular clubs, Hearts of Oak as well as Great Olympics
, but Ghana's national team
matches are sometimes played there.
During the 2000 African Cup of Nations
in Ghana
and Nigeria
, the stadium hosted 9 matches, and was also the venue of the 1978 final
.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, mostly used for association football matches. Originally known as the Accra Sports Stadium, the stadium was renamed after Ohene Djan, the country's first Director of Sports, in 2004. Its renaming was quite controversial and opposed by many in Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
's Ga
Ga people
The Ga-Adangbe are an ethnic group in the West African nation of Ghana. It is part of the Dangme ethnic group. The Ga people are grouped as part of theGa–Dangme ethnolinguistic group. They speak Kwa languages...
community who felt that a prominent Ga should be given the honor since the stadium is a centerpiece of downtown Accra. There has been ongoing controversy about the name of the stadium. On June 16 2011, the name 'Ohene Djan Stadium' on the stadium building was changed to 'Accra Sports Stadium' without any official announcement.
As a designated venue of some of the 2008 African Cup of Nations
2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
matches, the stadium was rebuilt, upgraded and modernized to meet FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
standards. Work on the stadium was completed in October 2007. It was inaugurated with a four-nations tournament that Ghana won (the Zenith Cup).
The stadium is also the home of one of Africa's most popular clubs, Hearts of Oak as well as Great Olympics
Great Olympics
Bomaa Accra Great Olympics is a Ghanaian association football club based in Accra. The club plays in the Ghana Premier League.-Current squad:-Honours:*Ghana Premier League**Champions 1970, 1974...
, but Ghana's national team
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
matches are sometimes played there.
During the 2000 African Cup of Nations
2000 African Cup of Nations
The 2000 African Cup of Nations was the 22nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of Africa . It was co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, who jointly replaced Zimbabwe as host. Just like in 1998, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, the stadium hosted 9 matches, and was also the venue of the 1978 final
1978 African Cup of Nations
The 1978 African Cup of Nations was the 11th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa . It was hosted by Accra and Kumasi, Ghana...
.
See also
- Accra Sports Stadium disasterAccra Sports Stadium disasterThe Accra Sports Stadium disaster occurred at the Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana on May 9, 2001. It took the lives of 127 people, making it the worst stadium disaster to have ever taken place in Africa. It occurred during a match between Ghana's two most successful football teams, Accra Hearts...
- Ghana national theatre
- Accra International Conference CenterAccra International Conference CenterThe Accra International Conference Centre is an events venue in Accra, Ghana. Other venues include the Ghana Trade Fair and the National Theatre, but the Conference Centre is more popular due to it being significantly larger than the National Theatre, and at the same time smaller than the Ghana...