Ghana Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has called on authorities to address the deplorable condition of the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale, northern Ghana.
Ayew made the appeal after participating in the All Star Festival game held at the stadium on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Ayew, who hails from Tamale, expressed his delight at returning to his hometown and acknowledged the talent in northern Ghana, but lamented that the lack of proper infrastructure hinders the exploitation of that talent. He emphasized the urgent need to improve the stadium’s pitch to enhance the quality of football played there.
“We have a wonderful stadium here (Tamale), and I hope and pray that we will be able to work on the pitch to make it better for our teams that play their matches here like RTU, Karela and Tamale City. The stadium is a great one,” Ayew said.
The Le Havre midfielder also offered words of wisdom for aspiring Ghanaian footballers, stressing the importance of determination and dedication. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the stadium’s current condition but expressed gratitude for the support received from fans during previous national team matches held at the venue.
“Everyone has what it takes to step into our shoes. Being a professional footballer means you have certain qualities to succeed, but what is important is the hard work, hunger, and dedication you show to develop those qualities. In football, you also need a bit of luck to succeed. The game was a bit difficult due to the pitch, but we wanted to come here because the last time we played here for the national team, we enjoyed massive support,” he said.
Ayew’s comments echo a recent appeal by assistant Black Stars captain Thomas Partey for the government to invest in world-class stadiums, citing the need for suitable facilities to enhance the quality of football in Ghana.
