2025 AFCONQ: The NSA addresses criticism of Baba Yara Stadium by saying, “Angola did not play in the sky.”

In response to complaints regarding the condition of Baba Yara Stadium, Bawa Majeed, the Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority, asked, ironically, whether Angola ‘were playing in the sky’ when they faced Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Before the game, pictures of the pitch’s deplorable state were making the rounds on social media, drawing attention to it.

Following the match, Ghana’s coach Otto Addo justified centre-back Abdul Mumin’s error, saying that the field was “not good” in part.

Are they implying that the Angolans were engaged in celestial play? Everybody there plays football, Bawa said to Asempa FM.

“They have professionals in their squad to play the Black Stars.” Our professionals were gathered. Everyone engaged in play on the same pitch. So CAF has inspected the pitch and approved it for the game.

“Let’s just look at what happened. We might not be coaches but we follow and understand football. We all suspected and wanted, even the fans themselves were agitating for change in the 60th minute.”

Angola head coach Pedro Goncalves had criticised the state of the stadium despite his team’s victory, insisting that “a country like Ghana deserves a better pitch and a better national stadium.”

The poor condition of the turf was due to a five-day ‘Kumuyi’ Church program held at the stadium in July.

Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Ghana in third place, with Angola and Sudan occupying the first and second spots in Group F, respectively.

The Black Stars will look to bounce back in their next match against Niger on Monday, September 9.