Ethiopia has intensified preparations for its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with a Confederation of African Football (CAF) technical team inspecting Dire Dawa Stadium as part of a wider assessment of the country’s readiness.
The inspection forms part of CAF’s evaluation of Ethiopia’s proposed venues and supporting infrastructure for the continental tournament. The delegation’s wider mission includes stadiums in several Ethiopian cities as the country seeks to demonstrate its capacity to host the competition.
During the assessment of Dire Dawa Stadium, the delegation reportedly commended the city’s hotel facilities and road infrastructure but identified areas at the stadium requiring substantial improvements.
The key areas highlighted for attention include the playing surface, players’ entrances and VIP facilities, which need to meet the standards required for a tournament of AFCON’s scale.
Dire Dawa Stadium is also reported to require an upgrade from CAF Category 2 to Category 4, the classification required for the senior men’s AFCON final tournament. Achieving that standard would require investment and extensive renovation work.
The findings place pressure on Ethiopian authorities to provide the necessary funding and ensure that renovation work is carried out to the required standards. The condition of the stadium and other proposed venues will be an important factor in CAF’s assessment of the country’s hosting bid.
Ethiopia’s wider preparations include proposed venues in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Hawassa and Jimma, alongside Dire Dawa. The technical evaluation is intended to compare the country’s bid plans with the condition of its facilities and supporting infrastructure. <Cite refs={[“turn646906search1″,”turn646906search5”]}/>
Although the inspection represents a key stage in Ethiopia’s campaign, it does not confirm that the country will be awarded hosting rights. Its prospects will depend on the outcome of CAF’s overall evaluation and the ability of the proposed venues to meet the governing body’s requirements.
