AFCON Qualifiers: why half of African nations are deprived of an approved stadium

Years go by, but the assessment remains relentless. Three weeks before the next international window and the kickoff of the CAN 2027 qualifiers, CAF is sticking to a firm line: no compromise on safety and venue compliance. This ongoing audit highlights a major division across the continent, pitting a handful of ultra-equipped nations against more than twenty countries forced into exile.

A continent at two speeds

The landscape of African infrastructure shows a stark asymmetry. At the top of the table is Morocco, with its 16 validated venues, followed by South Africa with 13 certified stadiums, many inherited from the 2010 World Cup. Egypt (8), Algeria (7), Côte d'Ivoire (6), Cameroon, and Mali (5) are in the leading pack and also have substantial flexibility to host international matches.

By contrast, nearly half of the 54 member associations do not have a single certified stadium on their own soil. Nations such as Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, the Central African Republic, or Zimbabwe are forbidden from playing in front of their home crowd. Even regional powerhouses or former champions are facing challenges: Nigeria often has just one approved stadium (Uyo), while Tunisia has seen its number of approved venues drastically reduced due to negative inspection reports.

Forced exile as a sporting and financial handicap

For teams deprived of home ground, the cost is high. Hosting their opponents "at home" on neutral ground—often in South Africa, Morocco, or neighboring countries—means a double penalty. The loss of home advantage without the fervor of local fans, long logistical journeys, and loss of familiar landmarks. There's also a financial burden with the cost of renting foreign stadiums, extended accommodation for delegations, and zero financial return from local ticket sales.

Some federations have had last-minute breathers thanks to targeted renovations. This is the case for Guinea with the Stade du 28-Septembre in Conakry, the Comoros with the Malouzini stadium, as well as Burundi (Stade Intwari) and Chad (Stade Idriss Déby), who have obtained temporary approvals subject to strict inspections at each match.

CAF's specifications: political pressure on states

If CAF refuses to relax its criteria, it is to impose minimum standards of professionalism: hybrid or natural turfs with high drainage, HD-standard LED lighting for television, electronic turnstiles, video surveillance, and modern media spaces.

Faced with the risk of sporting disconnect and pressure from supporters, renovating national venues has become a political priority for several sports ministries. With major continental events approaching, the level of infrastructure now stands as the primary indicator of the maturity of each nation's football.

The Top 5 African countries with the most certified stadiums

1. Morocco - 16

2. South Africa - 13

3. Egypt - 8

4. Algeria - 7

5. Côte d'Ivoire - 6