DAR ES SALAAM : RENOVATION works at the 60,000- seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is pegged to be completed before October 5th, a date set aside for the last CAF inspection exercise of the venue.
This was highlighted on on Monday in the city by the chairman of the committee tasked to oversee renovation works at the stadium, Abel Shirima.
He made the remarks following an inspection tour done by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports Saidi Yakubu, who visited the arena to inspect the renovations progress.
“So far, we are progressing well with the facelift works and now, we are installing brand new equipment in all areas where there is a need to do so.
“Furthermore, we are about to begin the installation of new lights after removing the old ones as well as painting the changing rooms, VIP and VVIP sections,” Shirima said.
He then guaranteed that the refurbishments are set to be completed before October 5th which is a date that CAF officials set up for their last inspection of the facility.
“Our focus is to finish our work timely so that the inaugural match of the 2023 Africa Football League (AFL), which should be played comfortably without problems,” he said.
The AFL match between Simba versus Al Ahly will be played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on October 20th which will signal the kick-off of the eight-team tournament.
On the day, according to Simba’s Media and Communication Manager Ahmed Ally, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his CAF counterpart Patrice Motsepe are among the distinguished officials who will land in the country to be part of the history-making encounter.
For Simba, this is a big chance to showcase their ability in African football, and a victory over the Egypt giants after a reverse leg in Cairo will see the Reds marching to the semi-finals of the AFL.
