Berekum Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Asante Kotoko stole headlines for a number of reasons; first for Emmanuel Clottey’s wonderful late equaliser and the fact that it meant the Porcupine Warriors are still winless in the Ghana Premier League.
The match, however, remains in the spotlight, well after the final whistle because of the state of the pitch of the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea’s home ground.
During the match, the pitch seemed more brown than green, with the remaining parts that still had emerald-coloured grass being lifted off the ground with every kick of the ball.
Pictures of the pitch started making the rounds on social media as the two sides warmed up before the match, with many people expressing concern.
Some cheekily asked whether Chelsea were hosting Kotoko in a “beach soccer match.”
Others were more critical of the football authorities, wondering how the GFA could clear the pitch for Premier League games.
The two teams struggled to string passes together with the uneven pitch holding the ball up on a few occasions.
Despite this, the two teams managed to score a goal each in their 1-1 draw on Sunday.
At no time was the deplorable nature of the pitch more apparent than just prior to Kotoko’s goal.
Kwame Opoku’s finish saw him kick up sand right in front of the goal which formed a huge cloud as the forward wheeled away in celebration.
Take a look at the video below:
Upgraded Resolution: Kwame Opoku again against Berekum Chelsea pic.twitter.com/QDKczRL9gk
— Asante Kotoko Videos 📽 (@KotokoVideos) November 23, 2020
Here’s what some fans said about the pitch:
The Golden City Park shouldnt be allowed to host a premier league game until that pitch is fixed. Terrible. 😣
— Kwame Baffoe (@kwameamin) November 22, 2020
The park doesn’t befits the name “Golden City Park”
— sah patrick (@PatrckSah) November 21, 2020
To think that we still play games in Berekum is disheartening. New FA same old ways! To top it off this game will be shown live for the world to see. Such an eyesore. Where is the club licensing committee and what is their mandate?
— Kotoko’s 1st Son (@JoelHammond_) November 22, 2020
All we need is a good pitch, this is 2020 how do we explain this to the world that premier league games are played at the golden city park
— Kotoko’s 1st Son (@JoelHammond_) November 22, 2020
But seriously, the pitches some of the ghana premier leagues team are playing on is too bad….. I just saw, the berekum golden city park….. such pitches make viewing on t.v hard….
— kissi michael mawulii (@KMawulii) November 22, 2020
