Angola’s head coach, Pedro Goncalves, has slammed the state of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch after his team’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The visiting coach was scathing in his criticism, saying, “A country like Ghana deserves a better pitch.”

The poor playing surface was a major talking point during the match, with both teams struggling to adapt. Goncalves’ comments echo the frustrations of fans and players alike, who were disappointed by the subpar conditions.

Despite dominating possession, Ghana’s Black Stars were left frustrated by a late defensive error, which handed Angola a last-minute victory. The loss leaves Ghana facing an uphill battle in their AFCON qualifying campaign.

Goncalves’ comments have sparked debate about the state of football infrastructure in Ghana. As the country looks to bounce back from this disappointing loss, attention turns to the need for improved facilities to match the talent and passion of the Black Stars.

Angola, meanwhile, will look to build on their narrow win as they prepare for their next qualifier against Sudan, who secured a win over Niger.