As Ghana prepare to face Comoros on Sunday, October 12, 2025, excitement is once again in the air.
The songs, the flags, and the drums will fill the stadium, but behind the colour and noise lies a recurring issue that refuses to go away: security under pressure.
It’s a problem that didn’t begin today. For years, Black Stars matches have seen moments where the police and security setup, though present and well-intentioned, get overpowered by the emotion and restlessness of the crowd, especially toward the end of the games.
In October 2024, when Ghana hosted Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, the signs were already clear.
Watch how heavy security was deployed at the Accra Sports Stadium for Ghana’s game against Chad
Despite efforts to streamline ticketing through an online system, matchday descended into chaos.
Queues collapsed, frustrated fans forced their way through, and those without tickets gained entry while some genuine ticket holders were locked out.
The police couldn’t contain the surge.
Then came March 2025, the National Sports Authority (NSA) had announced the closure of the Independence Square Stand due to renovation works and safety concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Chad.
The plan was to keep that section empty until repairs were completed. But on matchday, fans overwhelmed security barriers and occupied the very stand that was deemed unsafe.
Nothing official was said about how it happened, but it was clear that security had been overpowered by the crowd’s sheer force and impatience.
Weeks later, the NSA revealed that the stand would remain closed indefinitely because of inadequate funds to complete the renovations.
But in October 2025, when Ghana faced Mali, it happened again. Police held their positions early on but struggled to maintain order as the match neared its end.
Some fans moved freely toward restricted areas, others piled up at the exits, and once again, the pressure of the crowd outmatched the available control.
These incidents don’t necessarily reflect neglect; they show a system stretched to its limits.
Controlling thousands of emotional supporters in tight spaces is no small task. But this is why security presence and discipline, until the final whistle and beyond, are non-negotiable.
When officers step away or lose command during those tense moments before kickoff, order unravels.
Gates that were meant to stay shut are forced open, barriers collapse, and waves of fans pour in without control.
In the rush to enter, ticket checks are abandoned, stewards get pushed aside, and the entire security setup loses shape.
Once that happens, it’s almost impossible to restore order; the match may go on, but the sense of safety is already gone.
As Ghana welcomes Comoros, the test isn’t just for the Black Stars to win on the pitch; it’s also for the police and security agencies to win the trust of the fans again, by standing firm, coordinated, and present until the very end.
Because kickoff should mark the start of the game, not the start of chaos.
Watch one of the incidents below:
FKA/JE
Watch the latest episode of Sports Check with Boxer Jacob Dickson below:
