‘Aduana stadium will be ready’
Aduana Stars are confident that the Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu I Stadium will be ready to host Libyan side, Al Tahaddy, in the CAF Champions League preliminary round qualifier next month.
Advertisement
The stadium, named after the immediate past Dormaahene, the late Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr Agyemang Badu I, is undergoing refurbishment at full speed without comprimising quality.
And the Dormaahene,Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, who is the owner of the Ghanaian champions, insists, "We will definitely play at the stadium."
The first leg will be played between the weekend of February 9-11, while the return fixture is fixed for the following week.
Concerns have been raised in some sections of the sporting media about the danger of Aduana Stars missing out on playing at their fortress due to the ongoing rehabilitation works.
Aduana Stars have presented the Cape Coast Stadium to CAF as an alternative home grounds for the Champions League, if work on their home grounds is not completed before the deadline.
But the Dormaahene told the Graphic Spo rt s during a visit to the stadium last Saturday that, "You have seen for yourself the kind of serious work we are doing to put the stadium in shape and I can confirm that we will play in this stadium."
Features of the upgraded stadium will include brand new stands at the East and West wings, as well as the North end, replacement of the grass on the pitch, construction of a doping centre, changing rooms, new tunnel and an inner perimeter fencing all in line with basic requirements of CAF.
The new stands will accommodate over a third of the total attendance which will put the stadium's capacity at about 8,000.
"This will position the stadium well within international standards and afford as many fans as possible the opportunity to see the team play at their favourite grounds,are Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu told this paper.
Green Grass Technology is undertaking the renovation of the pitch and,according to the Chief Executive of the Company, Mr Frank Boohene,work is expected to be completed by January 12.
"We have completed about 60 per cent of the work, with 40 more left to be completed by 14 days time," he said.
Mr Boahene said the company used just five days to finish the work done so far.
"We are not preparing the pitch just for Africa. We are preparing it for the Premier League and there will be a lot of pressure on the pitch, " he stated.
The club are this time determined to make a remarkable impact in the competition and the owner of the club has invested heavily in player recruitment to beef up the existing squad.
The new players recruited include Caleb Amankwaa and Emmanuel Boateng from WAFA, veteran Yahaya Mohammed, Hafiz Adams from Wa All Stars, Justice Anane from Berekum Chelsea,Farouk Adams, formerly of Elmina Stars, Paul Aidoo from Medeama, Gokel Ahotor from Inter Allies and Congolese striker, ikama Uba.