Baba Yara Undergoes Irrigation Ahead of AFCON Qualifier
The pitch at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi booked to host the Black Stars’ African Cup of Nation’s Qualifier against the Palancas Negras, is undergoing irrigation as part of activities to re-green the lawn.
Videos shared online showed a water truck irrigating the deteriorated surface of the pitch.
With the ongoing work, it is expected that the facility will be up to standard for the game within the next two weeks.
The state of the pitch which was last month used to host a mass event has been a source of concern as the September 5 schedule for the match between Ghana and Angola approaches.
Esme Mends, the Ghana Football Association’s Club Licensing Manager is the recent official to raise concern about the state of the pitch.
“Our major concern playing field, which isn’t in a good state. If there’s to be any major activity, sorry to say, Baba Yara is not ready to host a competitive game.”
He is however optimistic that it will be ready ahead of time.
“The assurance was evident because the NSA is working nonstop on the pitch, and we were impressed with the work that the employees were putting in. I have no doubt that they will have the Baba Yara pitch ready for the Angola match.”
AFCON Qualifiers
Ghana’s campaign in the 2025 AFCON tournament qualifiers will begin at home against Angola, the schedule for the qualifiers released by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) notes.
The qualifiers will spring from September to November during which Ghana will try and book a place for the continental tournament to make up for their abysmal performance in the 2023 edition.
Per the schedule, Matchday one and two will take place from September 2-10, 2024; Matchday three and four from October 7-15, 2024; and Matchday five and six from November 11-19, 2024.
After their clash with the Palancas Negras, Coach Otto Addo’s side will proceed to Niger for the second game in September.
Their two fixtures in October will be against Sudan before their final round against Angola and Niger in return fixtures.
Ghana as part of Group F will be hoping for one of the two top spots in the group to make it to the tournament.
