Chinese Contractors Set to Rehabilitate Sierra Leone National Stadium
Morlai Ibrahim Kamara Chinese contractors have arrived in Freetown to rehabilitate the country’s national Stadium from February 2022.
According to the Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Yelenkeh, the said construction work is expected to last for for about two years.
The current national Stadium has been banned by the Confederation of African Football from staging matches until it’s up to International Standards.
In a Communication to the Sierra Leone Football Association last year, the Confederation of African Football CAF, informed the FA that the Capital Stadium in Freetown lacks adequate facilities, Sierraloaded understands
Sierra Leone are set to Kickstart the 2023 AFCON qualifiers campaign this year.
However, the construction work and the ban will force SLFA to look for neutral Venue for Leone Stars to play their upcoming matches.
The said Stadium was built in 1979 and has been in existence for Over 40 years.
FIFA suspended the venue in 19992 for one year due to Over Crowding.The Leone Stars had to use the 28th September Stadium in neighbouring Guinea to play host to Senegal and Togoin qualifiers for the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations
In March 2008, FIFA Banned the said venue due to poor dressing rooms and sub-standard pitch.
In February 2017, the presidential pavilion of the Siaka Steven Stadium was given a face lift with 950 chairs installed as part of the Upgrade to an all-seater international Standard.
The country needs more standard stadiums, electricity, standard markets, water and good roads.