Ohene Djan Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Ohene Djan Stadium
nickname =


location = Accra, Ghana
opened =
owner =
operator =
surface =
construction_cost =
capacity = 40,000 [ [http://www.fussballtempel.net/caf/GHA.html www.fussballtempel.net] ]
architect =
former_names = Accra Sports Stadium
tenants = Great Olympics
Hearts of Oak
seating_capacity =

Ohene Djan 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 honour since the stadium is a centrepiece of downtown Accra. [cite news |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=80345 |title=Ohene Djan Did Not Warrant Honour - Adjin Tettey |accessdate=2007-04-06 |date=28 April 2005 |author=Ghanaian Chronicle |work=Sports news |publisher=Ghana Home Page] Nonetheless, the stadium is considered by many to be the National Stadium.

As a designated venue of some of the 2008 African Cup of Nations matches, the stadium was rebuilt, upgraded and modernised 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,cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/sport/football/africa/cup_of_nations/accra.stm |title=Accra National Stadium |accessdate=2007-04-06 |work=Cup of Nations Venue Guide |publisher=BBC] and was also the venue of the 1978 final.

Notes and references

ee also

*Accra Sports Stadium disaster
*Ghana national theatre
*Accra International Conference Center

External links

* [http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/photos/2007/4854.asp New Work-in-Progress Photos - October 2007]
* [http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/ghana/accra_sports_stadium.shtml Photo] at [http://www.worldstadiums.com/ worldstadiums.com]
* [http://www.fussballtempel.net/caf/GHA/Accra.html Photos] at [http://www.fussballtempel.net/ fussballtempel.net]
* [http://www.morenomarrazzo.com/accra.htm Stadium design] Moreno Marrazzo