Bring back the love, they said.

The authorities would have been encouraged by Sunday’s attendance to witness Kotoko’s 2-1 win against Hearts in the Ghana Premier League. Joy Sports understands that the 37,000 tickets printed were sold out, with a gross of over GHS 724,000 made.

It is the first time in about four years a league meeting between the nation’s two biggest teams has sold out the Accra Sports Stadium. There may be a temptation to assume that the big number suggests all is well. As always, the devil lay in the detail, as the many fans who gave their stadium experience verdict will attest.

Even before the Premier League season kicked off, a regular contributor to Joy Sports programs, Ishmael Abanga, sent a reminder to GFA boss Kurt Okraku about a specific problem with stadium management.

And if Ishmael had been at the Accra Stadium on Sunday, he’d have been sorely disappointed, as many others who took to Facebook and Twitter will attest.

These reports are not limited to the Accra Stadium, it must be said. Similar reports have come from Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium as well.

WASHROOMS AND BINS

It must be said, however, that multiple reports suggested that the washrooms were largely clean at the facility. In fact, two hours to the start of the game, the stadium announcer repeatedly asked fans to utilise the dustbins provided around the stands and elsewhere in the grounds. He also implored Muslims to dispose of plastic containers used for their ablution and prayers. 

SECURITY

Heavy police and military presence inside the stadium ensured that troublespots were few, with the odd reports of missing bags and rival fans having heated arguments being the main issues.

“We had a special police point within the stadium just for this game but we made no arrests,” a senior police official told Joy Sports on Monday morning.

But outside the facility, the story was different.

TICKETS

Rampant reports of ticket touts making things difficult for fans reached Joy Sports as early as 11am when the team first got to the facility.

“We have been queuing since 7 o’clock, and they only brought the tickets around 9 o’clock,” a fan complained.

Gameli, another fan, also mentioned that the official vendors claimed VVIP tickets were sold out close to midday, but right in front of the booths were people selling the same tickets in large numbers for up to double the original price.

“This is a big issue that must be dealt with if we really want the neutral fans to be watching Ghana Premier League games,” Joy Sports Benedict Owusu said on Sunday’s live broadcast. 

Matchday commentator George Addo Jnr also chimed in: “When you travel and see how organized other league are, it is shame we are still allowing this to happen in 2020”.

The next game at the Accra Sports Stadium will be on Friday.

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