Kwame Baa, the Ashanti Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has assured fans that the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi will be ready to host the Black Stars’ opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Angola on September 5.
With only a month remaining until the match, concerns about the stadium’s condition have surfaced, particularly due to recent non-sporting events that might have affected the pitch. However, Baa expressed confidence in the venue’s preparedness.
“At the end of the day, we will come back to say that yes, prudently, we have managed the little resources from the Kumuyi program,” Baa told Luv FM. “We have been able to cater for our water bills, electricity, and all manner of people working day in and day out to ensure your dear Baba Yara Stadium is at a point where we can all be very proud of,” he added.
The match will be officiated by Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda as the main referee, with Dieudonne Mutuyimana and Eric Mugabo as assistant referees, and Ruzindana Nsoro serving as the fourth official.
Ghana, seeking to end a 43-year AFCON drought, will be under pressure to secure a win in front of their home supporters before traveling to Niger for their second qualifier. The 2025 AFCON tournament is set to be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.