Sports
The Seven Stadiums To Host Afcon 2021
Failed to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations due to delays in infrastructure and security; Cameroon is set to host the 2021 Afcon after Ivory Coast agreed to give up its hosting rights. Cameroon intends to complete the outstanding work and says it is ready to host the competition for 2021.
We look at the seven stadiums that will be hosting the tournament in the five different regions.
7) Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam
Capacity: 20,000
Also known as the Bafoussam omnisports Stadium; the multi-purpose stadium is located in Kouekong, an outskirts of Bafoussam. It was inaugurated by the State of Cameroon on April 30, 2016. It is a stadium with conventional standards built in 2015 and a capacity of 20,000 seats. It has also been a turnkey project of the Chinese company CHINA NATIONAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IMPORT AND EXPORT.
6) Limbe Stadium
Capacity: 20,000
A multi-purpose stadium built from 2009 to 2012 by the same company that constructed the Bafoussam stadium CHINA NATIONAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IMPORT AND EXPORT. It was officially opened in 2014; has 20,000 seats and meets the new FIFA standards. The Limbe Omnisport Stadium has a stunning ocean view. It hosted the after the 2016 Female AFCON.
5) Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua
Capacity: 25,000
Located in the neighborhood of which it is named Roumde Adjia in Garoua, this stadium that was built in 1978 has 25,000 seats. Renovated in 2018 for the CAN 2021, it now looks great thanks to the Portuguese company MOTA-ENGIL AFRICA.
4) Bepanda Reunification Stadium, Douala
Capacity: 39 000
With 39,000 seats, the Bepanda Omnisports stadium was built from 1970 to 1971 by ATAUB Architects and renovated in 2018 by MAGIL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, a Canadian construction firm, with the aim of hosting the CAN 2021.
3) Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaounde
Capacity: 40 122
Renovation cost: 26 milliards de Fcfa (2015-2016)
Named after the first President of Cameroon, Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo; this stadium has a capacity of 40,122 seats. It is the home ground of the Indomitable Lions. Built in 1972, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium was recently renovated in 2015/2016 at a total cost of 26 billion CFA francs by Egyptian construction company, Arab Contractors Cameroon Ltd. It is located in Yaounde city.
2) Japoma Stadium, Douala
Capacity: 50, 000
Construction cost: 140 Billion Fcfa
Located in the Japoma locality outskirts of Douala. Designed by the UK’s firm AECOM; this $143 million stadium is built by Turkish company, Yenigün and financed by Türk Eximbank. Japoma sports complex is said to be completed in 2019, in view of the next African Cup of Nations that will organize in Cameroon. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 seats.
1) Paul Biya Stadium
Capacity: 60, 000
Construction cost: 163 Billion Fcfa
The Paul Biya Stadium or Olembe Sports Complexe is going to be the largest stadium in Cameroon with a capacity of 60,000 seats. Built in 2016 in a suburb of Yaounde 13 kilometers from the urban center by Italian group Piccini. Olembe stadium will cost an estimated 163 billion CFA francs. Expected to be completed in 2019 for CAN 2021, it has a capacity of 60,000 seats.
The stadium is the second largest in West Africa and the 9th largest in Africa which will include two training stadiums, with 1,000 seats each, an Olympic swimming pool basketball, a gymnasium, handball, volleyball, tennis, a 70 rooms 5 star hotel, shopping mall, a cinema and museum.