Baba Yara Stadium not ready to host competitive game – GFA Club Licensing Manager

The Ghana Football Association’s Club Licensing Manager, Esme Mends, has described the Baba Yara Stadium as “not ready to host a competitive game” ahead of Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The venue, which is the only CAF-approved facility in the country, is currently in poor condition, with faded grass just 16 days before the match.

The Black Stars are scheduled to host Angola on September 5.

“Our major concern was the playing field which wasn’t in a good state,” Mends told Luv FM.

“If there’s to be any major activity, sorry to say Baba Yara is not ready to host competitive game.”

“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 ready [Baba Yara pitch] for the Angola game.”

The unfit state of the turf was as a result of the hosting of a five-day ‘Kumuyi’ Church program in July.

NSA’s Ashanti Regional Director Kwame Baa told Luv FM: “We have been able to cater for our water bills, electricity and all manner of people working day in day out to ensure your dear Baba Yara Stadium is at a point where we can all be very proud of.”