In July 2024, Ghanaians were left enraged when videos popped up on social media of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium hosting a five-day church event, mounting pressure on the National Sports Authority.
The National Sports Authority (NSA), through one of its Public Relations Officers, Patience Mensah, assured Ghanaians on Max FM that the CAF-approved stadium, Baba Yara, will be in good shape in time for Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola on September 5.
However, the Ghana Football Association’s Club Licensing Manager and former Hearts of Oak captain, Esme Mends, has raised concerns about the stadium’s readiness to host the matchday one encounter in Kumasi.
He highlighted these concerns in an interview on Kumasi’s Luv FM on Tuesday, August 20.
“Our major concern was the playing field, which wasn’t in a good state. If there’s to be any major activity, sorry to say, Baba Yara is not ready to host a competitive game.”
Mends, despite not being happy with the current state of the stadium, was impressed to see the commitment of the National Sports Authority to restore the playing field to its proper state.
“The NSA is working tirelessly on the pitch, so the assurance was there to see, and we were impressed with what they were [workers] doing. I am confident they will be ready [Baba Yara pitch] for the Angola game.”
The first round of the Group F fixture between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Palancas Negras of Angola will be live on Max TV at 4 p.m.
