Luanda — For two years approval and disapproval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the 11 November stadium to be open for matches has alternated due to failure to meet the requirements for it to be deemed permanently fit.
This time around, the African football body has re-authorised the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) to open the mentioned stadium for international matches to be played under its monitoring, at a time when, internally, it has not yet been properly clarified which items have or have not been complied with in the extensive package of requirements.
In a statement made by the football organization led by the South African Patrice Motsepe, that ANGOP had access to this Sunday, gives temporary green light again to Luanda´s 11 de Novembro stadium, which has capacity for 50,000 spectators, built as part of the 2010 CAN held in Angola.
In October 2021, after thorough inspection, the CAF inspectors considered the stadium unfit, as it did not meet the proper conditions, taking into account that FAF asked for a detailed plan of action with tasks and deadlines for the completion of the obligations.
At that time, the high degradation of the infrastructure with emphasis on the electronic scoreboards, the state of the grass, the seats and the public access changing rooms awakened the attention of the continental institution.
Outside, the scenery was the worst with ravines, grass and other elements identifying poor maintenance.
In June 2022, in another inspection led by the Cape Verdean Gerson de Melo the result on the spot was very moderate, but the unsuitable verdict came some time later, putting Angola again on a restriction.
As an alternative, the Tundavala stadium, in Huila Province, was pointed out and also the 22 de Junho stadium of Interclube in Luanda, which were also identified as having problems of non-compliance
But since then, the improvements made in the 11 of November stadium, which had the Welwitschia mirabilis plant as its construction inspiration concept, allowed for a new opportunity.
In fact, the infrastructure is still undergoing improvements. For example, regarding the two electronic scoreboards and lighting towers, the new turf after drought due to lack of water and the seats is now completed, after a period of successive acts of vandalism by some members of the public.
The governing body of African football has made available what it calls the "CAF Stadium Requirements", a comprehensive document that includes the needs and establishes the minimum requirements to be met for a stadium to be definitively approved.
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The document also recommends renovation works in the changing rooms, replacement of metal lockers for wooden ones, installation of an internet system, setting up a room for anti-doping control, replacement of sanitary ware, improvements in the press cabins, among others.
In the last visit of the Angolan Sports minister, Palmira Borbosa, to the infrastructure, in late 2022, she saw internal improvements, but there are still areas whose works are not officially known, and the degree of compliance with the guidelines is not known until the visit of new inspectors.
According to the document mentioned by ANGOP, five CAF inspectors will arrive in the country on 7 February, in the scope of Petro de Luanda´s participation in the first Football Super League.
The period will be used for a verification visit to the stadium, after it was temporarily approved as a result of the sending of photographs and videos of its compartments by the Chairman of the Sports Technical Council of the federation, José Neves, who is also a CAF accredited inspector.
The venue will also host the matches of Petro de Luanda, which in February will start competing in the group stage of the Champions League, as well as of the National Team, which in March will start the qualifying matches for the CAN in Côte d'Ivoire, transferred from 2023 to 2024.
However, it is important to note that the 11 Novembro stadium will be continuously monitored and if infringements of the requirements are reported, CAF may review its decision or apply fines as set out in its regulations.
