OPINION: Ghanaâs pitch disaster suffocates football, discourages its citizens
Everyone is talking about the state of the pitch at the Baba Yara Stadium and for good reason. Its absolutely terrible.The country is failing its football stars. Black Stars deputy captain, Thomas Partey, raised concerns about the pitch in June during the match against the Central African Republic. Since then, it’s been two months, and nothing has changed.In fact, the condition of the pitch has worsened. Even the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is seeking the presidency, was there when Partey pleaded for action and still, nothing.Ahead of the match against Angola, social media was flooded with pictures and videos of the pitch, shared by reporters to highlight the state of the field.The fact that reporting on a pitch is making headlines shows just how bad things have become.For a country that prides itself on being a footballing nation, Ghana surprisingly can’t boast of a decent stadium for international matches.
The Baba Yara Stadium ahead of @GhanaBlackstars game against #Angola #mx24gh #funfearlessfactual #AFCON2025Q #mx24sports #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/v9sB8TzGjU
MX24 TV (@mx24gh) September 5, 2024Its a disgrace, considering the world-class footballers weve produced who have competed at the highest levels globally.Its no wonder the players seem disinterested. Can you blame them? If your work tools were in such poor condition, would you be motivated? Pardon my emotions, but we are suffocating our citizens with such neglect. It’s shameful.CAF has repeatedly threatened to ban Ghana from hosting matches due to poor infrastructure.Maybe its time they follow through. Imagine Ghana being forced to play its home games in Benin perhaps that would wake up our leaders to take action.The Baba Yara pitch is a disaster, and it reflects the sorry state of the country.
