Accra Stadium
Football researcher, Robert Griffin III once said: “Every time you step on the football field in between those lines you’re putting your life, your career, every single ligament in your body in jeopardy.”
The football field is a very important component of the game. The beauty of the game, as well as the security of players greatly depends on the nature of the football field.
Reading Griffin’s quote above, one gets the impression that the footballer is totally at risk when the football field is in bad shape.
Asante Kotoko Coach, David Duncan had complained about the nature of our football pitches as we usher in the 2015/16 Premier League season.
The quest for the league has been very high. Clubs are ready. Players are poised for action while the fans have cleared their throats for the shouts.
But what about our fields? Are our fields ready for the challenge of the 2015/16 season?
GHANAsoccernet.com takes you through a journey of inspection from the Accra Sports Stadium to the Tema Stadium through to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, not forgetting the Nana Agyemang Badu Park as well as the Wa Park.
Sit up, as we take you through the nature of the fields ahead of the games.
Accra Hearts of Oak – [The Accra Sports Stadium]
The current state of the pitch at the Accra Sports Stadium indicates that all is set for the commencement of the Premier League and surely the Phobians will lock horns with the Yenko Nkoaa Boys on Sunday.
Sekondi Hasaacas [Essipong Sports Stadium]
Perhaps the most beautiful stadium in the country at the moment, the pitch of the Essipong Stadium makes it appetizing for football matches. The green grass and the coloured seats make it attractive for football. The field at the Essipong Stadium will surely make football very attractive in the Western Region as the league zooms off.
Aduana Stars [Nana Agyemang Badu II Park]
The home venue of the highly-tipped side to win the 2015/16 Premier League, the Nana Agyemang Badu II Park appears to have a brown grass ahead of the season. Well, it was not surprising as almost all the teams in the Brong Ahafo Region as well as Wa All Stars have the same fields. Could it be because of the harmattan?
Dreams FC [Theater of Dreams – Dawu]
The newly promoted side have transformed the grass-less Dawu Park into a green surface that met the approval of the Club Licensing Board. The side that appears to have enjoyed the best of publicity ahead of the league has comparatively one of the best fields for the league. Take a look at the field.
Ebusua Dwarfs [Robert Mensah Sports Stadium]
The Robert Mensah Sports Stadium appeared not set for the league as the field was not in good shape and appeared weary and brownish just like the field of Aduana Stars. The side appears very promising but their fie;d does not look that ready. Just look up again.
Berekum Chelsea [Golden City Park]
Perhaps, Berekum Chelsea’s performance last season was a surprise to many as they transferred 19 of their players ahead of the season. The Golden City Park had been described by many as the Lion’s Den but in recent times, it has been a very accommodating venue for many clubs. For the brown colour of the pitch, it appears a normal thing for all the clubs in the northern part of Ghana. Berekum Chelsea obviously look set for the league but what about the pitch at the Golden City Park.
Bechem United [Bechem Park]
Just a few hours drive from Berekum is the Bechem township. Bechem Chelsea struggled in the league last season but their pre-season preparations have given hints of a wonderful season. The pitch is obviously not the best but it appears one of the best in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Medeama SC [ T & A Park]
The Tarkwa T&A Park will be one of the centers with the best of pitches for the league this season. The management of the club have invested in getting the hitherto brown surface change to green. Football at the T&A will surely be exciting this season.
WAFA [Sogakope]
The pitch at Sogakope needs no much description. It is one of the two AstroTurf pitches in the country. No wonder teams struggle for water anytime they play the soccer mathematicians at the venue. WAFA will surely discipline many clubs that are not familiar with the artificial pitch.
Wa All Stars [Wa Park]
The Wa Park confirms the fact that clubs up north have come to accept the brown pitch as a replacement to the green field. The Wa Park looked not that ready for the league as many will take a second look when told it is a center for Premier League matches.
Techiman City [Nana Ameyaw Park]
Just joined the Premier League this season but officials of Techiman City FC have made efforts to transform the Nana Ameyaw Park into an admirable center. The pitch looked partly green with signs of still undergoing rehabilitation. The Premier League newcomers will definitely give their visitors good games at the venue as their pitch looks better than most of the existing ones.
Inter Allies [Tema Park]
The other Astroturf in the country apart from the one at Sogakope is the Tema Park. Inter Allies have enjoyed playing comfortably on the pitch given their opponents a good run for their money. Players will surely increase their water intake when they meet Inter Allies on the artificial pitch.
Liberty Professionals [Alhaji Sly Tetteh Park]
The Alhaji Sly Tetteh Park at Dansoman is not the best but it is surely better than most of the pitches mentioned so far. The grass looked green with few grass-less areas.
Asante Kotoko [Baba Yara Sports Stadium]
Asante Kotoko have always enjoyed playing on one of the best pitches in the country. Ahead of the start of the league, the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium looked very green and ready for action. Even though there were areas on the pitch where the grass looked pale, about 98% was completely green.
Credit:GhanaSoccerNet
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