The iconic Southern Arena Stadium located in Sierra Leone’s second city received its FIFA Approved Mandatory Test certificate after Dutch company Kiwa ISA Sports B.V conducted pitch testing last month.

The Quality Concept Football Turf Report submitted to the stadium’s management revealed that the pitch and stadium meet FIFA standards.

This fulfillment will mean that the stadium is now eligible to host international and local matches.

Football fans in the country have been eagerly waiting to witness a football match in the Arena especially that of the National Team, Leone Stars. Leone Stars, recently, have been playing both home and away matches outside Sierra Leone because its home ground, Siaka Stevens Stadium is undergoing renovations and could only be ready by next year.

The Southern Arena management has pleaded with football fans to exercise patience with plans ongoing to officially open the stadium. The stadium could host Sierra Leone’s crucial AfCONQ match against Nigeria in June.

The Arena will also be Sierra Leone Premier League defending champions, Bo Rangers’ new home ground. Rangers will be moving away from their traditional ground Bo Sports Stadium to the Arena once it is opened.

The stadium could see Sierra Leone becoming the ninth country in Africa eligible to host AfCONQ matches.