China's N$2.8 billion stadium gift to Chad nears completion
FOOTBALL
China strengthens diplomatic ties with Chad through a stadium project, raising comparisons with Namibia's planned N$800 million Independence Stadium upgrade.
Chad is making serious progress on their state-of-the-art 33,000-capacity stadium in the capital city, N’Djamena, valued at $154 million (N$2.8 billion).
According to a report by the Kenyan publication Construction Review, the Mandjafa Stadium project is backed by China.
The article revealed that the project, still cloaked in some mystery, is a gift from the Chinese government.
Social media users have lauded the initiative, expressing gratitude for China’s involvement in advancing sports infrastructure in Chad.
The agreement between Chad and China was signed in 2016, and construction has been steadily progressing since then.
However, despite ongoing efforts, Sportwrap could not determine the exact completion date for the stadium.
Once completed, the stadium is expected to boost football development among Chadian youth and ensure compliance with Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations.
Meanwhile, Namibia has taken its own steps towards upgrading football infrastructure. In 2024, the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service's executive director, Erastus Haitengela, announced the selection of Marley Tjitjo Architects in line with the Public Procurement Act.
According to The Namibian, Marley Tjitjo Architects were appointed as lead consultants for a feasibility study, design, tender documentation, contract administration, and site supervision for the much-needed upgrade of Independence Stadium. The estimated cost of Namibia’s stadium upgrade is projected to be between N$500 million and N$800 million.
This decision follows CAF's 2021 decommissioning of Independence Stadium, which was declared unfit for hosting international football matches.
The planned upgrades aim to bring the facility in line with CAF standards, ensuring Namibia can once again host competitive international fixtures on home soil.
Currently, Namibia is one of several African nations without a CAF-approved stadium. Others include Sudan, South Sudan, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sao Tome, Niger, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, and Lesotho.
According to a report by the Kenyan publication Construction Review, the Mandjafa Stadium project is backed by China.
The article revealed that the project, still cloaked in some mystery, is a gift from the Chinese government.
Social media users have lauded the initiative, expressing gratitude for China’s involvement in advancing sports infrastructure in Chad.
The agreement between Chad and China was signed in 2016, and construction has been steadily progressing since then.
However, despite ongoing efforts, Sportwrap could not determine the exact completion date for the stadium.
Once completed, the stadium is expected to boost football development among Chadian youth and ensure compliance with Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations.
Meanwhile, Namibia has taken its own steps towards upgrading football infrastructure. In 2024, the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service's executive director, Erastus Haitengela, announced the selection of Marley Tjitjo Architects in line with the Public Procurement Act.
According to The Namibian, Marley Tjitjo Architects were appointed as lead consultants for a feasibility study, design, tender documentation, contract administration, and site supervision for the much-needed upgrade of Independence Stadium. The estimated cost of Namibia’s stadium upgrade is projected to be between N$500 million and N$800 million.
This decision follows CAF's 2021 decommissioning of Independence Stadium, which was declared unfit for hosting international football matches.
The planned upgrades aim to bring the facility in line with CAF standards, ensuring Namibia can once again host competitive international fixtures on home soil.
Currently, Namibia is one of several African nations without a CAF-approved stadium. Others include Sudan, South Sudan, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sao Tome, Niger, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, and Lesotho.
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