Baba Rahman Slams Poor State of Ghanaian Pitches, Calls It a “National Disgrace”
Black Stars defender Baba Rahman has delivered a scathing assessment of the condition of football pitches in Ghana, labeling the situation as a “national disgrace” and calling for urgent reforms from authorities.
His comments follow widespread criticism of the pitch at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, which hosted the 2024/25 MTN FA Cup final between Asante Kotoko and Golden Kick FC. Fans and pundits alike lamented the poor surface, which they said hampered the quality of play.
Speaking to Joy Sports, the POAK Salonica left-back did not hold back, describing the state of facilities as embarrassing for a footballing nation like Ghana.
“This is a serious issue that needs urgent attention,” Rahman stated.
“I’m pleading with those in charge — let’s at least ensure the national team has a proper pitch to play on. Sometimes it’s really embarrassing.”
Rahman, who has represented Ghana at multiple major tournaments, stressed that the issue extends beyond aesthetics or comfort and directly affects the nation’s reputation on the international stage.
“You go back to your club after international duty, and your teammates mock the country because of the pitches we play on. It’s honestly a national disgrace,” he added.
Ghana has faced recent warnings from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over substandard pitch conditions, with several stadiums being red-flagged or banned from hosting international matches. The situation, according to Rahman, threatens both the image and the performance of Ghanaian football.
While acknowledging environmental challenges such as climate and weather conditions, the experienced defender insisted that these were not sufficient excuses to justify continued neglect.
“I understand the weather makes pitch maintenance difficult, but we still need to make the effort,” he said.
“Improving our pitches will benefit all our national teams — from the juniors to the women’s sides.”
Rahman’s remarks come at a time when football stakeholders are pushing for reforms across Ghana’s football ecosystem. His plea adds to the growing pressure on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Ministry of Youth and Sports to prioritize pitch development as part of broader football infrastructure improvements.
