The Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, the national sports facility in Uganda, is fully prepared to host the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.
This was confirmed by UPDF’s Lt Col Eng Peter Kidemuka, the project manager who had led the renovation works at the stadium.
Kenya will kick off the qualifiers on September 6th, facing Zimbabwe. Uganda will then take on Congo on September 9th, followed by another match between Zimbabwe and Cameroon on September 10th.
All three matches will be played at Namboole Stadium.
In an interview with sports journalist Clive Kyazze, Lt Col Eng Peter Kidemuka assured fans that the stadium is in top condition.
“The tartan track has been laid and is ready,” he stated. “The only remaining work is the markings, which will be overseen by an expert.”
For football matches, Kidemuka confirmed that the stadium is fully prepared.
“The grass is in excellent condition, and everything else is in order,” he said. “The only use of the tartan track will be by the ball boys, but there are no concerns there.”
Tartan is a type of synthetic surface commonly used for athletics tracks. It is known for its durability, shock absorption, and traction, making it a popular choice for running events.
Kenya and Zimbabwe opted to host their games in Uganda as there are no CAF approved stadiums in their countries with most facilities undergoing renovation.
