2025 AFCON Qualifiers: NSA's Bawa Majeed blames Otto Addo for Black Stars' defeat to Angola

Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Bawa Majeed has shifted the blame for Ghana's 1-0 defeat to Angola in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers away from the condition of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch.

Instead, he argues that the real issue lies with the technical team’s decisions during the match.

Before the game, much of the media attention was focused on the poor state of the pitch, leading to criticism directed at the NSA.

However, Majeed insists that the pitch, which was approved by CAF, was not the problem. He pointed out that the Angolan team played on the same pitch, so the conditions were equal for both teams.

Majeed suggested that the technical team's failure to make timely substitutions was a more significant factor in the loss.

“Are they suggesting that the Angolans were playing in the sky? They are all footballers,” Bawa told Asempa FM.

“Those they assembled to play against the Black Stars are professionals. We assembled our professionals. They all played on the same pitch. So CAF has inspected the pitch and approved it for the game.

“Let's just look at what happened. We might not be coaches but we follow and understand football. We all suspected and wanted, even the fans themselves were agitating for change in the 60th minute," he added.

Looking ahead, Ghana will play against Niger in their next Group F match on Monday, September 9, in Berkane. Meanwhile, the NSA has announced a month-long closure of the Baba Yara Stadium for renovations following the game.