Ghana Football Association (GFA) is facing the likelihood of severe penalties due to recurring issues with crowd control.
On Thursday, security personnel at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium failed to manage the crowd effectively during Ghana’s AFCON 2025 Qualifier against Angola, leading to two separate disruptions.
The first incident occurred in the first half when a fan bypassed security and ran onto the field to embrace Ghana striker Jordan Ayew.
The game had to be momentarily halted while the intruder was apprehended. This marked the latest in a series of pitch invasions, with players like Andre Ayew and Mohammed Kudus previously being targeted.
In 2020, Ghana received a $10,000 fine following a similar fan invasion during an AFCON 2021 Qualifier against South Africa in Cape Coast.
After Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Angola, disgruntled fans stormed the pitch and caused significant damage to property, including smashing nearly all the pitch panels.
Objects, including plastic bottles, were hurled onto the field after Ghana conceded a last-minute goal in the 93rd minute of the Group F match.
While the police were able to arrest one individual in connection with the vandalism, this episode adds to Ghana’s growing list of fines for crowd mismanagement.
Earlier in January, Ghana was fined $15,000 for disturbances during their AFCON 2023 group match with Cape Verde.