Caf bans Sierra Leone’s decrepit national stadium

• Sierra Leone’s decrepit national stadium has been banned by CAF from staging foreign matches until it up to International standards.

In a communication to the Sierra Leone Football Association, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, informed the FA that the Capital Stadium in Freetown lacks adequate facilities, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Sierra Leone are due to host Benin in their next home game on 30 March, their final African Cup of Nations Group L qualifier, days after their away tie at the Setsoto Stadium in Lesotho.

However, CAF latest decision will force the SLFA to look on the road for a neutral venue for Leone Stars to play their Group L final match against Benin.

The Leone Stars goalless draw against Nigeria has exposed the reckless and fragile state of the Siaka Steven Stadium, many soccer pundits believe.

After the Nigeria game last year, we understand Caf warned the SLFA to improve facilities at the stadium, but little has been done since.

The Brookfields Stadium was built in 1979 and has been in existence for over 40 years.

FIFA suspended the venue in 1992 for one year due to overcrowding. The Leone Stars had to use the 28th September Stadium in neighbouring Guinea to play host to Senegal and Togo in qualifiers for the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

In March 2008, FIFA banned the said venue due to poor dressing rooms and a sub-standard pitch.

In February 2017, the Presidential Pavilion of the Siaka Stevens Stadium was given a facelift with 950 chairs installed as part of the upgrade to an all-seater international standard.

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