Esme Mends, the Club Licensing Manager for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has voiced serious concerns about the current condition of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, warning that it may not be ready to host the Black Stars' crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Angola on September 5.

Mends highlighted several issues with the stadium, particularly the deteriorating state of the pitch, which features faded grass and is deemed unsuitable for a major competitive event.

As Ghana's only CAF-approved venue, the stadium's readiness is crucial for the upcoming match, yet Mends believes it currently falls short of the necessary standards.

"Our major concern was the playing field, which wasn't in a good state," Mends told Luv FM. "If there's to be any major activity, sorry to say, Baba Yara is not ready to host a competitive game."

Despite these concerns, Mends acknowledged the efforts of the National Sports Authority (NSA), which is working diligently to improve the pitch.

He described the ongoing work as promising and expressed hope that the necessary improvements will be completed in time for the fixture.

"The NSA is working tirelessly on the pitch, so the assurance was there to see, and we were impressed with what they were [workers] doing. I am confident they will ready [Baba Yara pitch] for the Angola game," he added.

The poor condition of the pitch has been attributed to a five-day 'Kumuyi' Church program held in July, which significantly impacted the turf.

The GFA and NSA are now racing against the clock to ensure that the stadium meets the required standards for the important international match.