Angola’s coach, Pedro Goncalves, expressed his disappointment with the state of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch after his team’s 1-0 victory over Ghana. Speaking after the match, he said, “A country like Ghana deserves a better pitch.”
The game, which took place on Thursday evening in Kumasi, was the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for both teams. Ghana, playing at home, struggled to find their rhythm on a difficult surface, which affected their performance.
The Black Stars pushed hard for a goal but couldn’t make the breakthrough, allowing Angola to snatch a late winner and secure the victory. The result has left Ghana with a tough task ahead as they prepare to travel to Niger for their next match.
Goncalves’ comment highlights the importance of good facilities for top-level football, especially for a team with Ghana’s rich history in the sport as Ghana always have to wait for late CAF approval for venue to be used to host games.
Now, the Black Stars will be aiming to bounce back and get a better result in their upcoming match.
