The Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Seth Panwum, has assured the public that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi will be ready for Ghana’s crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Angola.
The match is scheduled to take place in just 13 days, but the stadium’s current condition has raised concerns.
The playing surface at the stadium deteriorated significantly after hosting a large church event, putting the Black Stars’ opening qualifier for next year’s tournament at risk.
However, Panwum is confident that the necessary repairs will be completed in time.
“The place was given out for a program. I had to review their recovery plan, you know, and I think they are right on track.” he told GTV Sports Plus.”
He continued, “I had an update yesterday and this morning from Kumasi, and I think all hands are on deck to meet the deadline. I think in a few days’ time, the pitch should be in 200% perfect condition for the game.”
Panwum also mentioned that the contractor responsible for the stadium’s upkeep was present to address additional issues, including final touches on the media and press centers. “It’s one point that CAF doesn’t compromise on,” he added, emphasising the importance of meeting the Confederation of African Football’s standards.
Ghanaian football fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as efforts intensify to ensure that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will be ready to host the Black Stars’ crucial qualifier against Angola.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey (left) and West Ham United’s Edson Alvarez battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday April 14, 2024.
There were some standout performances from African players on matchday 33 in the Premier League as Alex Iwobi got two assists for Fulham, while Frank Onyeka scored his first goal in a Brentford shirt.
Goalkeeper:
Andre Onana (Manchester United) – The Cameroon international had a decent performance against Bournemouth on Saturday and wasn’t at fault for either of the two goals in the 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium. Onana made three saves, the most crucial of which came just before half-time when he instinctively denied an unmarked Justin Kluivert with the Cherries 2-1 up at the time.
Defenders:
Calvin Bassey (Fulham) – The Nigeria international didn’t really put a foot wrong in the 2-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday as he helped marshal a defence that kept their first clean sheet in four matches. Bassey managed 75 touches throughout the game and made four tackles, although Vladimir Coufal was able to get past him inside the box early on, only to see Michail Antonio blaze over on the rebound.
Nayef Aguerd (West Ham) – The Morocco international was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time in five games and looked assured for the most part, having done just enough to put Rodrigo Muniz off in an aerial challenge from a corner in the first half. Aguerd had the third-most touches on the ball for West Ham with 87 and made three tackles.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) – The Nigeria international looks to have made a full recovery from the injury he picked up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after being handed his fourth consecutive start in the 2-2 draw with Wolves at the City Ground on Saturday. Aina was heavily involved in Nottingham Forest’s build-up play down the left flank, getting 68 touches on the ball, while making two tackles.
Midfielders:
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) – The Ghana international was one of West Ham’s better performers against Fulham and came close to breaking the deadlock when he curled a shot narrowly wide of the left post from the edge of the box on the right early in the first half. It was one of four attempts on goal from Kudus – more than any other Hammers player – although he failed to hit the target on each occasion.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham) – The Nigeria international played a starring role in the 2-0 win over West Ham and had a hand in both goals. Iwobi’s searching ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by Konstantinos Mavropanos, who gifted possession back to Andreas Pereira to score the opener and the duo combined again for the Brazilian’s second goal following a pin-point pass from the Nigerian, which saw him register his first two assists of the season.
Pape Sarr (Tottenham) – The Senegal international was introduced from the bench on 57 minutes with Tottenham trailing 3-0 to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday and he did a good job of shoring up the midfield after the hosts had exploited gaping holes in the middle of the park prior to that. Sarr managed 41 touches on the ball and completed 33 passes, almost identical figures to Rodrigo Bentancur, whom he replaced and played 12 less minutes.
Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United) – The Algeria international made only his sixth start of the season as he replaced the injured Jack Robinson for the 2-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. Larouci got involved in the action early on when he had a shot deflected behind for a corner and he created a chance for Ben Brereton following a powerful run down the left flank. The 23-year-old midfielder was substituted on 57 minutes as Blades manager Chris Wilder opted for fresher legs.
Forwards:
Simon Adingra (Brighton) – The Ivory Coast international produced another lively display in the 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, hitting the target with three of his four shots on goal. Adingra managed 43 touches on the ball as most of Brighton’s play was focused on the opposite flank, although he still got himself involved in the game.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Not one of the Egypt international’s better performances against Crystal Palace, although he still had an opportunity to equalise late on, only to be denied by a goal-line block from Tyrick Mitchell. Salah failed to hit the target with his only other shot and got 46 touches on the ball, more than the other attackers for Liverpool.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) – The Cameroon international made just his second start since returning from an ankle injury that ruled him out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Mbeumo released Neal Maupay through on goal with a lovely pass in the first half, only for the Frenchman to miss the target and he set up Mikkel Damsgaard to score on volley from his free-kick, although the goal was ruled out for a block on Oli McBurnie inside the box.
