{"id":259470,"date":"2024-12-02T15:05:43","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T15:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/12\/02\/pitch-at-baba-yara-sports-stadium-hasnt-improved-asante-kotoko-chief\/"},"modified":"2024-12-02T15:05:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T15:05:43","slug":"pitch-at-baba-yara-sports-stadium-hasnt-improved-asante-kotoko-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/12\/02\/pitch-at-baba-yara-sports-stadium-hasnt-improved-asante-kotoko-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"Pitch at Baba Yara Sports Stadium hasn\u2019t improved \u2013 Asante Kotoko chief"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Kotoko's play video<\/span>Kotoko’s Emmanuel Antwi pulls out of a tackle<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Asante Kotoko\u2019s Ashanti Regional Circles Chairman, Alex Manu, has raised concerns about the state of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after the National Sports Authority (NSA) completed renovation works at the facility. <\/p>\n

The stadium was closed for renovations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) withdrew its approval due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field, following Ghana\u2019s game against Angola in September 2024. <\/p>\n

However, on Thursday, October 28, 2024, the NSA issued a communique granting Asante Kotoko\u2014who had adopted the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium as their home ground\u2014the green light to return to their traditional venue. <\/p>\n

Despite this, Alex Manu, in an interview with Happy FM, revealed that the pitch was not in ideal condition during their FA Cup Round of 64 game but assured fans it would be ready for the game against Hearts of Oak. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that great, but it could be because it was left idle during the renovations. It wasn\u2019t that green, but I\u2019m sure our return will prompt them to start watering the pitch so it can return to its natural state. I believe it\u2019ll be ready before we play Hearts of Oak because the two-week break will be used to improve it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Manu further expressed disappointment with the low turnout of fans during their game against Future Stars, despite expectations of strong support. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe support we were expecting was far from the number of people that came. We literally played in an empty stadium. But it could be because of the late announcement of our return to the stadium. With the subsequent games, I believe there\u2019ll be enough fans,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

Asante Kotoko marked their return to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium with a convincing 2-0 win over Future Stars, thanks to an Albert Amoah second-half brace. <\/p>\n

Watch Sports Check with John Laryea below:<\/b><\/p>\n