By Politico staff writer
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has conducted an inspection of the newly constructed 6,000 (six thousand) seater Southern Arena stadium in Bo Southern Sierra Leone, as the association has been mandated by CAF to explore possibilities for the hosting of upcoming International Matches. The country’s Siaka Stevens Stadium is closed to games as it is being extensively rehabilitated.
The inspection took place on Thursday 3rd February, 2023 in a bid to secure CAF certification of the facility.
Vice President 1 of SLFA, Harold Nat-Johnson later admitted he was highly impressed with what he had seen within the stadium facility. He congratulated Babadi Kamara , the owner of the stadium for erecting such a ‘magnificent’ playing facility in that part of the country.
“As a federation, we are hopeful of securing the much needed CAF approval to be hosting international matches and zonal tournaments here at the southern arena,” he said.
The General Secretary of the Association, Chris Kamara thanked Babadi and his construction team for their cooperation and high level of professionalism demonstrated during the inspection.
“We have done our own part, it is now for CAF to decide,” Chris asserted.
In his response, Babadi explained that he did the construction of the facility as part of his own token of support towards the development of football in Sierra Leone. He said his biggest joy behind constructing the facility will be watching the Sierra Leone National Team- Leone Stars play competitive CAF and FIFA matches in the stadium.
“I am therefore extremely delighted and thankful that SLFA is making the necessary efforts for the stadium to secure CAF and FIFA approval,” he said.
The delegation was primarily tasked to ascertain whether the stadium meets the CAF standards to enable it host both national and international matches.
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