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The Government of Sierra Leone has announced imminent plans for a partial reopening of the Siaka Stevens National Stadium, marking a critical step toward ending years of hosting international football matches in neighboring countries.
Following a high-level inspection of the facility on Monday, January 19, Minister of Sports Augusta James-Teima confirmed that the government is preparing for the “official launch of the installation of seats and a partial handover of completed facilities.”
The 40,000-capacity stadium, originally constructed by China in 1979, has been undergoing a major Chinese-funded rehabilitation since 2022. Due to the facility’s disrepair, the national team, Leone Stars, has been forced to play “home” fixtures in Liberia and Morocco, a situation the Minister is keen to resolve.
“Plans are on the way to officially launch the installation of seats and proceed with a partial handover,” James-Teima stated. She emphasized that the project is strategically designed to “prevent the country from having to host home matches abroad” while ensuring the work delivers “value for money.”
While the project has faced timeline challenges—with the National Sports Authority (NSA) previously estimating the main bowl would not be fully ready until late 2026 or early 2027—the Ministry is moving forward with a phased approach.
According to the Minister, the handover of specific completed facilities is expected in February. However, she clarified that the tennis court will not be included in this immediate phase. The inspection team noted improvements to the practice field and ongoing aspirations for a new tartan track.
The inspection delegation included officials from the Ministry of Works and Public Assets and the NSA, who met with the Chinese technical team led by Mr. Boson.
Managing Expectations Acknowledging the “protracted nature” of the rehabilitation, Minister James-Teima noted that significant progress has been made but cautioned the public against demanding rushed results.
“We must avoid rushed expectations that could undermine quality outcomes,” she warned, describing the stadium as a “critical national asset” that requires careful management to become financially sustainable.
The rehabilitation project has faced multiple setbacks due to logistical issues, including the shipping of materials from China and seasonal weather disruptions. In December 2025, the NSA confirmed that Sierra Leone would likely miss hosting 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at home due to the delays.
