JS Kabylie head coach Josef Zinnebauer has highlighted broader infrastructure challenges in African football while commenting on the state of the Accra Sports Stadium pitch ahead of his team’s CAF Champions League clash against Bibiani GoldStars.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s preliminary round first-leg match, Zinnebauer acknowledged that while the Accra surface is playable, it reflects a continent-wide issue.
“Even if it’s bad, we cannot change it, but the condition is good... It’s difficult in the whole of Africa,” he stated, underscoring that pitch quality remains a persistent hurdle for clubs across the continent.
His remarks come as Bibiani GoldStars—making their CAF Champions League debut—are forced to host the match in Accra, nearly 200 km from their home base, after their regular venue in Bibiani failed to meet CAF standards.
Zinnebauer’s comments shift focus beyond the immediate game to structural challenges impacting African football’s competitiveness, from uneven playing surfaces to inadequate training facilities.
Despite these concerns, the coach maintained a professional stance: *“No excuses… We have the same field as the opponent.”*
The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, with the return leg scheduled for September 26 in Algeria.
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