The Central African Republic (CAR) will not be hosting their anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Gabon at the Stade Barthélémy Boganda in Bangui, following a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to withhold approval of the venue.
In a letter dated October 30, CAF informed the Central African Football Federation that the Stade Barthélémy Boganda does not meet the Category 3 requirements necessary to host international matches.
Although recent renovations have taken place, the improvements were deemed insufficient to reach the standards mandated for the final round of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
“The stadium does not yet meet the criteria required for Category 3 and is not approved for the upcoming matches of the qualifiers for the AFCON Morocco 2025,” stated CAF in its letter.
The announcement marks a significant setback for CAR, as the team had hoped to play the decisive fixture on home soil to bolster their chances of advancing.
The CAF letter further detailed specific areas requiring attention before the stadium can achieve certification.
Among the recommendations, CAF highlighted the need for specialised companies to enhance the stadium’s natural grass surface, install improved sports lighting, and collaborate with infrastructure experts to upgrade access points within the stadium.
These changes are essential for ensuring that the venue aligns with international standards for safety, accessibility, and quality of play.
Currently sitting in third place in Group B of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, CAR has accumulated only three points thus far.
Their next fixture will take them to Lesotho on November 14 for the fifth-round match, followed by what was to be a home match against Gabon in the sixth and final round.
With the stadium unfit for the home encounter, CAR’s “home” fixture against Gabon will now take place at a neutral venue yet to be determined.
The news of the relocation is likely to impact CAR’s preparations, as the team faces the loss of the expected home advantage.
This development also underscores CAF’s ongoing scrutiny of stadium infrastructure across Africa, with several nations recently required to upgrade facilities to meet the more stringent standards introduced for international play.
For CAR supporters and players alike, the announcement brings disappointment, as playing on home turf at the Stade Barthélémy Boganda would have provided a unique opportunity to rally local support.
Nonetheless, CAF’s decision reinforces the organisation’s commitment to ensuring high standards across all official venues for the AFCON qualifiers, maintaining a consistent level of quality and safety for teams and fans throughout the tournament.
