2025 AFCONQ: ‘Angola did not play in the sky’ – NSA responds to Baba Yara Stadium criticism

The Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority, Bawa Majeed, has responded to criticism about the state of the Baba Yara Stadium, ironically asking whether Angola “were playing in the sky” against Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The pitch had already come under scrutiny before the match, with images circulating on social media highlighting its poor condition.

After the game, Ghana coach Otto Addo defended center-back Abdul Mumin’s mistake, attributing it in part to the pitch, which he described as “not good.”

“Are they suggesting that the Angolans were playing in the sky? They are all footballers,” Bawa told Asempa FM.

“Those they assembled to play against the Black Stars are professionals. We assembled our professionals. They all played on the same pitch. So CAF has inspected the pitch and approved it for the game.

“Let’s just look at what happened. We might not be coaches but we follow and understand football. We all suspected and wanted, even the fans themselves were agitating for change in the 60th minute.”

Angola head coach Pedro Goncalves had criticised the state of the stadium despite his team’s victory, insisting that “a country like Ghana deserves a better pitch and a better national stadium.”

The poor condition of the turf was due to a five-day ‘Kumuyi’ Church program held at the stadium in July.

Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Ghana in third place, with Angola and Sudan occupying the first and second spots in Group F, respectively.

The Black Stars will look to bounce back in their next match against Niger on Monday, September 9.