By Jejje Muhinde;
The Confederation of African Football has officially confirmed the suspension of Kigali Nyamirambo Regional Stadium until it is up to international standards.
In a communication to the Rwanda Football Association, CAF informed FERWAFA that the Nyamirambo stadium in Kigali lacks the adequate facilities.
“Nyamirambo stadium has not been approved by the Security and Safety Department of CAF, Rwanda will have to organize the matches in another country with quality lawns,” a statement from CAF reads in part.
“Based on the stadium ban decision, the stadium authorities should consider initiating a complete renovation and refurbishment work of the stadium, in order to ensure that the stadium is approved in the future for CAF competitions.”
Rwanda is due to host Mali in their next home game on November 11 2021, their final World Cup Qualifiers Group E game.
However, CAF’s latest decision will force FERWAFA to look on the road for a neutral venue for the Amavubi Stars to play their future games after Mali.
Football experts have suggested that the nearest neutral venue for Rwanda to play their games can be Tanzania.
Rwanda is at the bottom of Group E with one point in four matches played. Mali tops the group with 10 points, two points ahead of Uganda in second place. Kenya has two points in the second last spot.
Earlier this month, the President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Olivier Nizeyimana Mugabo, announced that CAF has agreed to build an international stadium for Rwanda.
Nizeyimana made the remarks in an interview with the public broadcaster, RTV when asked about FERWAFA’s football development programs.
“We talked to CAF officials. And they promised us that they will build a stadium for us, an international stadium. It’s a project which will help us in football development.” Mugabo said.
The facility will come in addition to the existing infrastructures such as Amahoro Stadium (which is also suspended by CAF), Kigali stadium, Umuganda stadium, Huye Stadium and other stadiums in Bugesera, Nyagatare and Ngoma districts.
