The Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Majeed Bawa, has claimed that those who vandalized the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after the Black Stars’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Angola are betting addicts.

Angry fans invaded the pitch and destroyed pitch panels following Ghana's 1-0 loss to the Palancas Negras on Thursday in Kumasi.

While some attributed the invasion to a combination of the result and the condition of the pitch, Bawah has a different opinion.

“I saw them. In fact, I was standing helplessly because if you try to stop them, they may hurt you. The police were there, but they couldn't help. They destroyed and threw missiles onto the pitch,” he told Asempa FM.

“All manner of objects [were thrown] on the pitch. That damage too was caused by NSA? I believe these incidents are being caused by young people addicted to betting.

“Honestly, that is my feeling. Because if you see those people doing these things, they are young, young guys. They are doing this because we lost. Those who vandalised the stadium are young guys addicted to betting.

“They were saying that they were disappointed. They’ve lost, they’ve lost, and they’ve lost, not Ghana.”

The poor condition of the pitch dominated headlines after the game, with many social media users calling for Ghana to be banned from hosting home games until the pitches are repaired.