Stadium upgrade nowhere near kick-off
City awaits recommendations
Upgrades to the Sam Nujoma Stadium are nowhere close to starting, as the City of Windhoek awaits engineering recommendations.
Limba Mupetami
Windhoek
The Brave Warriors of Namibia’s recent performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers has once again brought to the fore the bitter issue of national teams playing on international grounds as there is no stadium fit to host football games in the country.
For the last two years, the Namibian national teams, including the Warriors, have used South Africa as their home ground for international matches after the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) ruled the Sam Nujoma Stadium unfit due to safety concerns over “structural defects”.
It is not clear how much the Namibia Football Association is forking out to play in South Africa, but some in football circles say it could be millions.
Asked how soon the renovations will start on the national stadium, City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye explained that the timeline is subject to structural findings and financial availability, hence the delay in the upgrade.
He added that an advertisement requesting structural engineering recommendations closed on 19 March, and evaluations have been concluded. The successful bidder will be informed and then the tender award will be done.
“Of course, after that process has reached its natural conclusion, the way forward will be mapped,” he said.
How much?
Akwenye dodged questions on how much the anticipated facelift would cost, simply saying this amount would depend on the engineering investigation report.
He added that the stadium is a national facility constructed to serve the purpose of its design, “thus this is a priority of the City and equally government”.
“Should all reports be submitted, they will be studied and a request for capital funding from government will be proposed to start with the rehabilitation of the facility,” he said.
On whether the renovations will follow CAF guidelines, he said: “The stadium failed requirements by CAF/FIFA, thus it’s noticeable to comply for international and national as well domestic football to commence at this venue”.
Despite not having a CAF-approved stadium, Namibia plans to co-host the 2027 Afcon tournament with Botswana.
If the bid is successful, it remains to be seen whether the country will be done upgrading the Sam Nujoma Stadium, and whether funds will be available to build a second stadium of international quality and structure to support it.
Named after the founding president, Sam Nujoma Stadium is located in Windhoek’s Katutura. The venue has a seating capacity of 10 300 and was completed in 2005 to the tune of N$64 million.
Windhoek
The Brave Warriors of Namibia’s recent performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers has once again brought to the fore the bitter issue of national teams playing on international grounds as there is no stadium fit to host football games in the country.
For the last two years, the Namibian national teams, including the Warriors, have used South Africa as their home ground for international matches after the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) ruled the Sam Nujoma Stadium unfit due to safety concerns over “structural defects”.
It is not clear how much the Namibia Football Association is forking out to play in South Africa, but some in football circles say it could be millions.
Asked how soon the renovations will start on the national stadium, City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye explained that the timeline is subject to structural findings and financial availability, hence the delay in the upgrade.
He added that an advertisement requesting structural engineering recommendations closed on 19 March, and evaluations have been concluded. The successful bidder will be informed and then the tender award will be done.
“Of course, after that process has reached its natural conclusion, the way forward will be mapped,” he said.
How much?
Akwenye dodged questions on how much the anticipated facelift would cost, simply saying this amount would depend on the engineering investigation report.
He added that the stadium is a national facility constructed to serve the purpose of its design, “thus this is a priority of the City and equally government”.
“Should all reports be submitted, they will be studied and a request for capital funding from government will be proposed to start with the rehabilitation of the facility,” he said.
On whether the renovations will follow CAF guidelines, he said: “The stadium failed requirements by CAF/FIFA, thus it’s noticeable to comply for international and national as well domestic football to commence at this venue”.
Despite not having a CAF-approved stadium, Namibia plans to co-host the 2027 Afcon tournament with Botswana.
If the bid is successful, it remains to be seen whether the country will be done upgrading the Sam Nujoma Stadium, and whether funds will be available to build a second stadium of international quality and structure to support it.
Named after the founding president, Sam Nujoma Stadium is located in Windhoek’s Katutura. The venue has a seating capacity of 10 300 and was completed in 2005 to the tune of N$64 million.
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