The National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced the temporary closure of the Accra Sports Stadium for Christmas festivities, impacting Ghanaian football giants Hearts of Oak, Great Olympics, and Accra Lions.
As a result, these clubs are now compelled to relocate to their alternative home venues.
In an official letter dated October 27, 2023, and signed by NSA boss Professor Peter Twumasi, it was outlined that the Accra Sports Stadium will be unavailable for any sporting activities throughout December. The clubs affected by this decision are urged to utilise their alternative home grounds for hosting matches during this period.
“The National Sports Authority wishes to inform you about the unavailability of the Accra Sports Stadium in December for all sporting activities. By this letter, the clubs who use the Accra Sports Stadium are entreated to use their alternative venues to honor their home games in December,” the letter stated.
This development poses logistical challenges for Hearts of Oak, Great Olympics, and Accra Lions, who now have to make arrangements for hosting matches at different locations. The closure comes at a critical time in the football calendar, with important fixtures scheduled for December.
Hearts of Oak for instance were expected to host Asante Kotoko in Accra but are considering the Baba Yara Stadium for the time being 3xtra.tv understands.
Amid these changes, a highly anticipated local derby between Accra Lions and Hearts of Oak is set to take place on Tuesday as part of matchday 11 in the Ghana Premier League.