The National Sports Authority (NSA) says the Cape Coast Sports Stadium is ready and in a very good condition to host Friday’s epic Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia.
Head of Public Relations of the NSA, Mr. Charles Obeng Amofa, confirmed in an interview with the Times Sports yesterday that the pitch and other facilities at the venue are in good shape and was ready to host the event.
The Cape Coast Stadium was selected to host the first of two qualifiers for the Black Stars against the Walias of Ethiopia on Friday as rehabilitation works continue at the two major venues – the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The team will then travel to South Africa to honour the second game against the Bafana Bafana.
According to Mr. Amofa, the NSA’s men were dispatched to the Cape Coast Stadium two weeks ago and have worked on the pitch, the stands, dressing rooms, media centres, mixed zone areas and other places.
“Our men have been on the ground for the past two weeks in an effort to ensure that we host the game under very pleasant circumstances. We have given special attention to the turf; watering and carrying other essential works on it.”
”As we speak now, I can confidently tell you that the pitch especially is 100 per cent ready for the game. Floodlights are working very well and there are other measures in place to power them when the unexpected occurs.”
He said the 7pm game will have all the Covid-19 protocols in place including the 25 per cent admission of fans to watch the game.
“We are expecting about 4,500 fans to attend the game because we have not received any directive from government to do full admission. We will enforce all the safety protocols to avoid a breakout of the pandemic.
On the sale of tickets for the match, he said a stakeholders meeting to be held tomorrow will determine whether to sell advance tickets or release them on the match day.
Meanwhile, the NSA has reminded that the deadline for the submission of applications for media accreditation for the match is today and urged interested media representatives to apply.
Applicants are to send their applications signed by a Manager or an Editor and passport photographs to the NSA via its email: pr@sportsauthority.gov.gh.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
