Ethiopia face major stadium upgrades in bid to host AFCON 2028

Ethiopia’s ambition to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations faces a significant infrastructure challenge after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) expert team identified key improvements needed at Dire Dawa Stadium.

CAF officials arrived in Ethiopia last week, as revealed by AfricaSoccer.com, to conduct an early inspection in their bid to host the tournament.

The inspection formed part of the assessment of Ethiopia’s preparations to stage Africa’s premier international football tournament, with the stadium among the facilities being considered for the country’s hosting bid.

The CAF team praised Dire Dawa’s hotel accommodation and road infrastructure but highlighted several areas of the stadium that require substantial upgrades to meet the standards expected of a major continental competition.

The pitch, players’ entrances and VIP facilities were among the areas identified for improvement, underlining the scale of work needed before the venue can meet the required criteria.

A key requirement is to upgrade the stadium from Category 2 to Category 4, a significant step that would bring the facility closer to the standard required to host matches at the highest level of African football.

The improvements are expected to require urgent government support, alongside the involvement of experienced contractors capable of delivering the necessary work to the required specifications.

Infrastructure challenge for Ethiopia

The inspection highlights the importance of stadium readiness in Ethiopia’s bid to bring the Africa Cup of Nations back to the country.

While the assessment of Dire Dawa’s hotels and road network offered encouraging signs, the outstanding stadium requirements present a major task for the authorities.

The playing surface is a crucial consideration for any potential host venue, with pitch quality directly affecting player safety, match performance and the overall standard of competition.

The players’ entrances and VIP facilities also need attention, reflecting the need to provide appropriate arrangements for teams, officials and invited guests during a tournament of AFCON’s stature.

Moving from Category 2 to Category 4 will require coordinated planning, funding and construction work. Government involvement will therefore be important in ensuring that the necessary improvements can be completed within the required timeframe.

The use of experienced contractors will also be essential to delivering the upgrades in line with CAF’s requirements.

AFCON 2028 ambition

Ethiopia’s hosting bid comes as countries seek to demonstrate that they have the infrastructure and organisational capacity needed to stage the continent’s biggest football competition.

The AFCON tournament places considerable demands on host nations, including suitable stadiums, training facilities, accommodation, transport links and operational arrangements.

Dire Dawa’s positive assessment in relation to hotels and roads provides a foundation for further preparations, but the stadium deficiencies identified by the CAF team will need to be addressed.

The inspection does not, in itself, confirm Ethiopia’s suitability to host the tournament. The outstanding work at Dire Dawa Stadium remains an important consideration as the country pursues its ambition.

For Ethiopia, the next phase will involve securing the necessary support and ensuring that the proposed upgrades are delivered to the required standard.

The success of those efforts could prove significant to the country’s wider preparations as it seeks to strengthen its case to host AFCON 2028.