Somalia will be able to host an international match for the first time since 1991 after the renovations on the 35,000 seater Mogadishu were completed.
The stadium has been closed to the public for close to 30 years and had been used as a base by various militia and lately by African peacekeepers, Amisom and Somalia National Army.
The Minister of Sport, accompanied by the junior national football team has paid a visit to the near-completion of Mogadishu Stadium today. The Stadium is being reconstructed and rehabilitated by @EU_in_Somalia and @NorwayInSomalia in partnership withFGS @gabowduale @AbdiBarud pic.twitter.com/YyOylrzME3
— NIS Foundation, Somalia (@NisSomalia) March 30, 2020
African magazine Jeune Afrique writes that the stadium had been defaced by years of war and as well as used as a buffer zone for militias.
"Beneath the stadium stands, along the dismal corridors, the training halls and offices now serve as quarters for Ugandan troops. In front of the broken windows, sandbags are stacked to protect themselves from the Al Shabaab snipers," they wrote.
With support from FIFA and donor partners, Somali FA embarked on reclaiming the grounds and have extensively renovated it and laid a brand new synthetic turf.
With the recent requirement by CAF that federations must present sporting facilities that meet international standards, the new Mogadishu can pass the test and is ready to host international matches. However, Somali government will need to assure visiting teams of their safety.
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