Deputy Director of National Sports Authority dismisses reports of CAF moving Ghana vs Angola clash
Abdul Majeed Bawa, the Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has refuted claims that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering relocating the match between Ghana and Angola to a neutral venue.
Concerns had been raised about the state of the Baba Yara Stadium, sparking speculation that CAF might move the game. However, in an interview with Citi Sports, Bawa Majeed clarified that CAF had initially rejected the first images of the stadium’s playing surface provided by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and had requested updated photos and videos.
Bawa Majeed assured that the pitch would be in good condition by August 30, in time for the match. He stated, “I’m confident the facility will be ready by the 30th of this month for the Africa Cup qualifier against Angola. Although the initial pictures were not ideal, significant improvements have been made since then.”
He also mentioned that he had personally visited the stadium to oversee the necessary work and that efforts were underway 24/7 to ensure the pitch met the required standards.
While acknowledging the existence of a letter from CAF, Bawa Majeed noted that it may not have been as strongly worded as reported. He explained, “CAF expressed concerns based on media reports and the initial images they received. They requested updated photos and videos by the 25th of this month. Our FA sent a representative to capture these images, but CAF requested more specific angles and examples of the expected pitch quality.”
The Black Stars are set to kick off their Group F campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola on September 5. Following that, they will travel to face Niger in their second group match just four days later. Head coach Otto Addo is expected to announce his squad for these games this week.
