CAF closes Tanzania's main stadium

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has temporarily closed the Tanzania’s main stadium, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, due to the continued deterioration of the playing area (pitch).

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam

CAF has directed that the area be improved quickly to reach the required standards to avoid the stadium being closed for a long time.

In a statement released today, Wednesday March 12, 2025, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has stated that as a result, the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) quarter-final match between Simba and Al Masry of Egypt, scheduled to be played at the stadium on April 9, should be relocated to another stadium.

"In order to remove the inconvenience, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has been asked to send the name of the alternative stadium that will be used for the CAFCC match by March 14, 2025.

"CAF will conduct an inspection of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on March 20, 2025 to see the improvements made before deciding to allow it to be used or continue to close it," the statement said.

Tanzania is among three East Africa countries that will host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August this year together with Kenya and Uganda.

The tournament initially scheduled to take place in February 2025 was postponed until August due to incompleteness of playing infrastructure and facilities.

"I am confident that the stadiums, other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful CHAN," Caf president Patrice Motsepe said.

CHAN 2024 hosting rights were awarded in December 2023, and the second-tier competition is considered as a dress rehearsal before Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda become the first three-way hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.