The grass was gone. The roar had faded. For months, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Ghana’s cathedral of football, stood quiet under the Kumasi sun, its famous pitch reduced to patches of dust and dying dreams.
Videos from August 2025 told a heartbreaking story: dry grass, uneven surfaces, and clouds of sand rising with every kick. For a ground that once witnessed Ghana’s proudest victories, it felt like a betrayal of legacy.
This was the same turf where the Black Stars demolished Egypt 6–1 in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. For nearly a quarter of a century, no team had beaten Ghana at Baba Yara, until September 2024, when Angola stunned the Black Stars 1–0, ending a 24-year unbeaten home record.
That loss was more than a result; it marked the beginning of the stadium’s fall from grace.
By late 2024, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had withdrawn its approval for the venue, citing an “unsuitable playing field,” poor drainage, and uneven surfaces. Kumasi’s fortress had turned into a symbol of decline.
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But what followed was a year of silence, repairs, and renewed commitment. The National Sports Authority (NSA), under Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, began a massive restoration project to revive the stadium.
In September 2025, the NSA hinted that Asante Kotoko could soon return home for continental football, a promise that filled the city with hope once again.
And on Sunday, October 5, 2025, that hope became reality. The Porcupine Warriors hosted Heart of Lions on a pitch that, though still short of perfection, had been transformed into a lush, even green carpet — breathing life back into football in Kumasi.
The match ended goalless, but the real victory lay underfoot: a surface restored, a reputation redeemed.
Among the crowd was the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Amokohene, whose pride was unmistakable.
“I am pleased to observe that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch is now in an improved state and suitable for use in the National League. We are committed to ensuring that the facility meets full international standards so that Asante Kotoko and other clubs can once again host their home matches here with pride,” he said after the game.
His words reflect a cautious optimism, a recognition that while the pitch looks better, there’s still work to be done.
For now, the dust has settled, and the grass is growing again. Baba Yara isn’t quite at its best, but it’s gradually moving away from becoming a national embarrassment.
The fortress that once defined Ghanaian football is slowly finding its footing again, step by step, blade by blade.
FKA/JE
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