Baba Yara Stadium not ready to host matches – GFA Club Licensing Manager Esme Mends

Before the Black Stars’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Angola, Esme Mends, the Club Licensing Manager for the Ghana Football Association, has expressed concerns about the state of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, declaring that it is “not ready to host a competitive game.”

16 days before the September 5 match, the stadium—the only CAF-approved location in Ghana—is in poor condition, with faded grass among its problems.

Mends stated that if any significant events were to be scheduled, the stadium would not be appropriate.

He acknowledged the National Sports Authority’s (NSA) efforts to enhance the pitch despite these worries and called the current work promising.

“Our main concern was the playing field, which wasn’t in a good state.

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“I regret to inform you that Baba Yara is not prepared to host a competitive game if there is to be any major activity.” he told Luv FM.

“The assurance was evident because the NSA is working nonstop on the pitch, and we were impressed with the work that the employees were putting in. I have no doubt that they will have the Baba Yara pitch ready for the Angola match.”

One reason for the degradation of the turf is a five-day ‘Kumasi Church program that took place in July 2024.

Emmanuel Owusu|Akoma Sports|Ghana

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