The National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced the temporary closure of Baba Yara Sports Stadium for one month.
This decision follows mounting criticism over the poor condition of the playing surface after Ghana’s recent African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Angola.
The stadium will remain closed until October 7, 2024, in preparation for Ghana’s next international home match.
The closure is aimed at carrying out critical maintenance to improve the pitch and repair damages caused by disgruntled fans after the game.
The decision comes after Angola’s coach, Pedro Gonçalves, openly criticized the quality of the playing surface following his team’s 1-0 victory over the Black Stars.
“We always tried to play football, but the pitch was difficult,” Gonçalves said, calling for a better stadium and pitch to complement Ghana’s football talent.
Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, while not directly blaming the loss on the poor conditions, admitted the pitch was subpar.
“I don’t want to blame the loss on the pitch, even though it wasn’t in good shape,” he stated, adding that Ghana had overcome similar challenges before.
As the stadium undergoes maintenance, the NSA is now working with local football club Asante Kotoko to secure an alternative venue for their Ghana Premier League matches.
Kotoko’s first match will be played away at the Naa Sheriga Sports Stadium against Karela United, but their home fixtures will need a new location.
Despite defending the stadium’s condition, Majeed Bawa, Deputy Director General of the NSA, acknowledged the need for improvements, stating that the closure will allow for essential repairs.
