- Confederation of African Football, CAF has open the door to Sierra Leone to host their final African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin at home.
- Officially, the contest is taken place in Freetown at the capital Brookfields deteriorated stadium instead of Guinea’s Stade Du 28 Septembre on March 30.
CAF says its reversed decision is due to ‘Covid-19 travel restrictions’ as they have decided to lift the ban on Sierra Leone Freetown capital stadium on exception.
Almost two weeks ago, the Confederation of African Football, CAF barred the capital stadium from staging foreign matches till it is up to International standards.
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.
@CAF_Media @CAF_HoF @bittar32@benin_football @Benin_FBF
Sierra Leone will now take on the Squirrels of Benin at home later this month after CAF U-turn. pic.twitter.com/vVolVhMTQb
— FSL News website (@football_sierra) March 10, 2021
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