Ghana coach Otto Addo ‘surprised’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against Chad will be played on concrete-like astroturf

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has raised concerns about the pitch of the Stadium that will host Ghana’s encounter against Chad in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The matchday 7 game of the African qualifiers in Group I will be played at Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4. Although the Stadium is stunning, the pitch is an astroturf.

Speaking in his pre-match interview, Coach Otto Addo said he is surprised that the pitch has been approved for an international match when the surface feels like concrete.

“Yeah, so, yeah, 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. But yeah, what can we do? We have to take it as it comes, and we are prepared.

“We observed everything today. Like I said, it's not a good AstroTurf, to be honest. Nowadays, there are far better Astroturfs, which are also much healthier for the players,” Coach Otto Addo shared as quoted on the ghanafa.org.

Thursday’s clash between Chad and Ghana will kick off at 1 pm.