Works to revamp Kigali Stadium are underway as Rwanda runs against the clock to have the facility ready before the 73rd FIFA Congress that will take place in Kigali on March 16.
The works started on January 4, and have now reached a stage where some parts of the Kigali Stadium have been demolished to be replaced by new ones.
The turf on the pitch has been removed from the pitch inside the stadium and was taken to the playground outside the stadium known as ‘tapis rouge’ which normally hosts traffic training courses.
During the works, the stadium’s roof was removed while the gate and fences of the facility have also been taken down. All these parts will be replaced with new ones.
Works will also be done inside the dressing room whose equipment will be replaced.
Seven teams namely APR FC, Gasogi United, Gorilla FC, AS Kigali, Rayon Sports, Police FC and Kiyovu Sports, which used to host their league games at Kigali Stadium have relocated to pave way for renovation works at the facility.
APR, Gasogi and Gorilla are currently playing their homes games at Bugesera Stadium while Rayon Sports, Police FC and Kiyovu Sports currently host their league games at Muhanga Stadium.
Kigali Stadium has since November 2021 been suspended from hosting international football competitions due to failure to meet the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
With the facility and Amahoro stadium now undergoing upgrade, Huye Stadium remains the only one facility in Rwanda that meets criteria to host international senior football matches and other CAF inter clubs’ competitions.