Ghana Government Minister: We are ready to host 2018 CHAN

Thursday Sep 28, 2017. 16:00

Ghana is ready to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), according to the country’s Minister of Youth and Sport, Issac Asiamah.

Next year’s continental competition is without a host country after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared that Kenya would not be ready.

The East African nation was stripped of host rights due to falling behind schedule in their venue preparation and worries over political instability.

CAF has opened a new bidding process for the tournament, which is scheduled to be staged from 12 January to 4 February next year.

Ghana Minister Asiamah insists that the country is ready to host CHAN, having successfully staged the WAFU Cup of Nations earlier this month.

The regional competition saw 16 West African teams play a total of 24 matches across two venues - and that did not include Ghana’s premier stadiums such as those in Kumasi and Accra.

“I'm adamant Ghana is ready, at any point in time, to host any CAF tournament,” Asiamah told Asempa FM, as quoted by Joy Online.

South Africa have already declared that they have no intention of bidding for the tournament, leaving Ghana as one of the clear favourites to become the new hosts.