The Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Alhaji Abdul Majeed Bawa, has provided insight into the motivations behind the fan violence at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday night.
Following the Black Stars’ surprising 1-0 loss to Angola in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, enraged fans rushed onto the field, causing damage to the stadium’s panels and throwing objects.
In an interview on Asempa FM‘s Sports Nite, Alhaji Abdul Majeed Bawa attributed the destruction to young fans whose bets were ruined by the defeat.
“They destroyed, they threw missiles and all manner of things onto the pitch. That one too is it caused by NSA? They destroyed the pitch panels. And I believe these things are happening to the young guys who are addicted to betting. Honestly, that’s my feeling because if you see all those people who did that thing, they are all young guys.
“Throwing missiles because we lost. I believe they would not have done that if Ghana had won. After the tension subsided, you asked them and they were saying they disappointed them and they lost. Not that Ghana has lost oh but they lost a bet,” Alhaji Abdul Majeed Bawa shared.
Ghana’s loss to Angola has cast a shadow over their AFCON qualifying campaign. The Black Stars will need to regroup and prepare for their next match against Niger on Monday, September 9.
In response to the damage, the NSA has announced that the Baba Yara Stadium will be closed for one month for renovation work.
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