Debibi United Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Ababio, has responded to comments made by the coach of Bibiani GoldStars, Petros Koukouras, regarding the state of Debibi United's playing pitch. Koukouras had described the Debibi Presby Park as more suitable for cassava farming than football after GoldStars suffered a 1-0 defeat to Debibi United in the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League Matchday 7. Ababio expressed his displeasure with Koukouras' statement, questioning the reasoning behind the comparison.
Ababio, in an interview with Nhyira FM, described Koukouras' remarks as reckless and unreasonable. He further stated that if cassava is grown in such conditions in Greece, then he is unsure how the crop is fed. Ababio urged Koukouras to focus on his professional responsibilities instead of making what he considers inappropriate comments. The Debibi United CEO emphasized that Koukouras should think about his job and stop making what he termed as nonsense statements.
This is not the first time a foreign coach has criticized the state of pitches in Ghana. Petros Koukouras is one of several coaches who have expressed concerns about the condition of playing surfaces in the country. The issue has sparked discussions among football stakeholders, with some calling for improvements to be made to the infrastructure. Debibi United currently sits at the bottom three in the league after eight games with 7 points.
Despite their poor start to the season, Debibi United's target is to remain in the league. CEO Alexander Ababio stated that the club is focused on achieving this goal. The team is set to face Hearts of Oak at the Debibi Presby Park on Sunday. Ababio's response to Koukouras' comments comes amid ongoing debates about the state of pitches in Ghanaian football.
The 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season has been marked by several controversies, including concerns about the condition of playing surfaces. Several teams have expressed dissatisfaction with the state of pitches, citing the impact on player safety and performance. Debibi United's pitch has been a subject of discussion, with some coaches and players expressing concerns about its suitability for top-level football.
Petros Koukouras' comments on the Debibi Presby Park pitch sparked a heated debate among football stakeholders. While some have supported Koukouras' concerns, others have criticized him for making what they consider to be unfair and inaccurate comments. The incident has highlighted the need for improvements to be made to Ghana's football infrastructure.
Debibi United will look to build on their recent win against GoldStars when they face Hearts of Oak on Sunday. The team will be seeking to improve their position in the league and move away from the relegation zone. With 7 points from eight games, Debibi United still has a long way to go in achieving their goal of remaining in the league.
Key points
- Debibi United CEO Alexander Ababio has hit back at GoldStars coach Petros Koukouras over his comments on the club's playing pitch.
- Koukouras had described the Debibi Presby Park as more suitable for cassava farming than football.
- Debibi United's target is to remain in the league despite their poor start to the season.
