Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has raised alarm over the state of the playing surface at the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno, where Ghana will lock horns with Chad in Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
After leading his team through their final training session in N’Djamena, Addo minced no words in criticising the artificial turf, describing it as a danger to the players and unfit for top-level football.
“I’m really surprised that they have allowed this pitch for an international match. The pitch is really, really not good. It’s very, very hard for the players, it’s like playing on concrete,” he lamented.
🔄 Throwback to our last meeting with Chad: pure dominance! 🔥
We go again tomorrow 👊🏾🇬🇭#BlackStars | #FIFAWCQ
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 3, 2025
The former Borussia Dortmund star admitted that while the situation was far from ideal, the team had no choice but to adapt.
“What can we do? We have to take it as it comes, and we are prepared. It’s not a good Astroturf, to be honest. Nowadays, there are far better ones, which are also much healthier for the players,” Addo added.
Despite the coach’s misgivings about the pitch, the Black Stars are determined to deliver a strong performance in this pivotal Group I clash. A win would provide a significant boost to their qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm Ghana time.
