“Ghana’s poor pitches is a national disgrace” - Baba Rahman

Ghanaian defender Baba Abdul Rahman has voiced strong concerns over the deteriorating condition of football pitches in Ghana, describing the situation as a national embarrassment.

In a candid interview with Joy Sports, the PAOK Saloniki left-back revealed that his club teammates often mock Ghana after he returns from international duty, referencing the substandard state of pitches in the country.

“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 lamented.

The former Chelsea player emphasized how the poor quality of pitches is damaging Ghana’s football reputation, both locally and internationally. He made an emotional plea to the country’s football authorities to take urgent action:

“I’m pleading with those in charge to at least ensure the national team has a proper pitch to play on. Sometimes it’s really embarrassing.”

While acknowledging that Ghana’s tropical climate poses maintenance challenges, Baba Rahman believes the country must do better to support its players and football development.

“I understand the weather makes pitch maintenance difficult, but we still need to make the effort. Improving our pitches will benefit all our national teams — from the juniors to the women’s sides.”

Baba, who is currently on a self-imposed break from the Black Stars, has been vocal in recent years about issues plaguing Ghana football, and his latest comments have reignited the debate about infrastructure investment and maintenance in the sport.

His remarks echo concerns raised by various players and coaches, further underlining the need for urgent reforms if Ghana hopes to reclaim its pride and competitiveness on the global stage.