The National Sports Authority (NSA) has temporarily closed the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for maintenance until the next round of international matches.
The stadium will be reopened for Ghana’s next home match on October 7, 2024.
The decision to shut down the stadium comes after it hosted Ghana’s 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Angola on Thursday, and its playing surface was heavily criticized by coaches and fans alike.
The poor condition of the pitch was pointed out by Angola’s coach, Pedro Gonçalves, who expressed frustration with the state of the playing surface.
“We always tried to play football, but the pitch was difficult,” Gonçalves said. “A country like Ghana deserves a better stadium, a better pitch for football.
They have such talented players.”Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, acknowledged the pitch’s poor condition but refused to use it as an excuse for the team’s loss, which ended Ghana’s 24-year unbeaten record at the stadium.
“I don’t want to blame the loss on the pitch, even though it wasn’t in good shape,” Addo remarked. “Against the Central African Republic, the pitch was also poor, but we managed to win.
We simply have to do better.”The NSA is now expected to engage Asante Kotoko to find an alternative venue for their Ghana Premier League matches as soon as possible.
The Porcupine Warriors are scheduled to travel for their matchday one fixture at the Naa Sheriga Sports Stadium, where they will face Karela United.
In response to criticism of the stadium’s condition, Majeed Bawa, Deputy Director General of the NSA, questioned whether critics were suggesting that the Angolans were playing in the sky.
“They are all footballers,” he said. “Those they assembled to play against the Black Stars are professionals, just like our team. They all played on the same pitch. CAF inspected and approved the pitch for the game.
“Despite this defense, the NSA has decided to close the facility until October for maintenance and to repair structures vandalised by irate fans following Thursday night’s match.
The stadium will be reopened in time for Ghana’s next home match on October 7, 2024.
