• Latest
Mandela National Stadium: From Outcast to Showcase Venue

Mandela National Stadium: From Outcast to Showcase Venue

9 months ago
Uganda Ranks Among World Rugby’s Top 30 Women’s Countries

Uganda Ranks Among World Rugby’s Top 30 Women’s Countries

4 hours ago
Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

4 hours ago
“How Many Omedis Are Out There?” Munyagwa Sparks Debate on Uganda’s Talent Scouting Crisis

“How Many Omedis Are Out There?” Munyagwa Sparks Debate on Uganda’s Talent Scouting Crisis

4 hours ago
Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

4 hours ago
NEC Secure Mugalu’s Signature Ahead of CAF Debut

NEC Secure Mugalu’s Signature Ahead of CAF Debut

4 hours ago
Al-Hilal CEO: Ronaldo Loan “Counter-Intuitive”

Al-Hilal CEO: Ronaldo Loan “Counter-Intuitive”

4 hours ago
State of Ugandan Sport Symposium Opens With Hard Talk on Policy, Governance

State of Ugandan Sport Symposium Opens With Hard Talk on Policy, Governance

7 hours ago
Peter Shalulile Speaks on FIFA Club World Cup, Dreams, and Denis Onyango’s Locker Room Banter

Peter Shalulile Speaks on FIFA Club World Cup, Dreams, and Denis Onyango’s Locker Room Banter

8 hours ago
The State of Ugandan Sport Symposium is Finally Here

The State of Ugandan Sport Symposium is Finally Here

10 hours ago
McCarthy’s Harambee Stars Contract Secure Amidst Exit Rumours

McCarthy’s Harambee Stars Contract Secure Amidst Exit Rumours

10 hours ago
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
  • Home
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • Boxing
  • Golf
  • Netball
  • Cricket
  • Motorsport
No Result
View All Result
NBS Sport
  • Home
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • Boxing
  • Golf
  • Netball
  • Cricket
  • Motorsport
No Result
View All Result
NBS Sport
No Result
View All Result
Home Football

Mandela National Stadium: From Outcast to Showcase Venue

NBS Sport Admin by NBS Sport Admin
September 7, 2024
in Football
0 0
0
Mandela National Stadium: From Outcast to Showcase Venue

Photo by Nicholas Bamulanzeki

By Ronald Ocweo

In April 2020, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, from hosting international matches due to its substandard conditions.

RelatedPosts

Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

NEC Secure Mugalu’s Signature Ahead of CAF Debut

The issues included poor dressing rooms, the lack of a standard training pitch, a deteriorating main pitch, and the absence of adequate seating, among other required amenities for a standard stadium.

In response, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade was tasked with renovating the stadium.

The government allocated 97 billion shillings for the project, divided into three phases.

Namboole Stadium renovation works

The first phase involved securing the 128-acre stadium land, evicting encroachers, and installing a perimeter fence.

The second phase focused on upgrading the stadium to meet international standards, covering electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering work.

The final phase involved finishing touches, such as planting grass, installing a public address system, fitting seats, and completing electrical and plumbing installations.

With most of these upgrades completed, the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), in consultation with CAF, organized test matches at the stadium to assess its readiness for international competitions.

Villa faced KCCA at Namboole in the Startimes Uganda Premier League

Two title-deciding matches from the StarTimes Uganda Premier League—BUL vs. Vipers and KCCA FC vs. SC Villa—were held, drawing large crowds, especially the latter fixture.

In May 2024, Mandela National Stadium was cleared to host international matches. Uganda Cranes played their June doubleheader at the stadium, beating Botswana 1-0 and losing 2-1 to Algeria.

Reflecting on his experience, Uganda Cranes fan Ojok Emmanuel said, “It was my first time there, and it was different from other Ugandan stadiums like Lugogo and St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. The facility was better, but the service in the ordinary stands was poor, especially when trying to get snacks or drinks at halftime. However, the toilets were clean and well-maintained.”

Namboole has now re-emerged as a top-tier venue, hosting not only Uganda’s home matches but also serving as the home ground for other African national teams.

Kenya and Zimbabwe used the stadium for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, including a goalless draw between the two sides on September 6, 2024.

Zimbabwe is set to remain at the stadium to host Cameroon on September 10, following Uganda’s match against the Republic of Congo on September 9.

The reopening of Mandela National Stadium has ended Uganda’s need to play its home games abroad in countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon.

It has also become a hub for other African nations, showcasing the benefits of having world-class sports facilities.

As Uganda gears up to co-host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) from February 1-28, 2025, alongside Tanzania and Kenya, further improvements are expected to ensure a seamless experience for participating teams.

Upcoming Fixtures

Monday, 9th September 2024: Uganda vs. Republic of Congo, Mandela National Stadium, 7 PM
Tuesday, 10th September 2024: Zimbabwe vs. Cameroon, Mandela National Stadium, 7 PM

Tags: NAMBOOLE STADIUM
ShareTweetSendSendShare
Next Post
AFCON 2025 Q: South Africa’s Broos Not Playing Blame Games, Happy With Point Against Uganda

AFCON 2025 Q: South Africa’s Broos Not Playing Blame Games, Happy With Point Against Uganda

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with us

  • 87.1k Followers
  • 23.9k Followers
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
FIFA Bans Uganda Cranes Captain’s Club

FIFA Bans Uganda Cranes Captain’s Club

November 12, 2024
AFCON 2025 Q: Why Onana Left Namboole Before The Rest Of His Teammates

AFCON 2025 Q: Why Onana Left Namboole Before The Rest Of His Teammates

September 11, 2024
Florentino Perez Singles Out Uganda in Ballon d’Or Voting Criticism

Florentino Perez Singles Out Uganda in Ballon d’Or Voting Criticism

November 24, 2024
Uganda Among 62 Nations Yet to Have a Capped Player in the English Premier League

Uganda Among 62 Nations Yet to Have a Capped Player in the English Premier League

January 29, 2025
Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to Co-Host CHAN 2024 in February 2025

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to Co-Host CHAN 2024 in February 2025

8
FUFA Strips KCCA of Points, Suspends Referee Over Rule Violations

FUFA Strips KCCA of Points, Suspends Referee Over Rule Violations

3
CHAN 2024: CAF Unveils New Trophy and Logo Ahead of Draw

Groups Announced for CHAN 2024

3
Rugby Cranes’ Ivan Magomu Suspended, Stripped of Captaincy Following Disciplinary Hearing

Rugby Cranes’ Ivan Magomu Suspended, Stripped of Captaincy Following Disciplinary Hearing

2
Uganda Ranks Among World Rugby’s Top 30 Women’s Countries

Uganda Ranks Among World Rugby’s Top 30 Women’s Countries

June 17, 2025
Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

June 17, 2025
“How Many Omedis Are Out There?” Munyagwa Sparks Debate on Uganda’s Talent Scouting Crisis

“How Many Omedis Are Out There?” Munyagwa Sparks Debate on Uganda’s Talent Scouting Crisis

June 17, 2025
Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

June 17, 2025

Recommended

Uganda Ranks Among World Rugby’s Top 30 Women’s Countries

Uganda Ranks Among World Rugby’s Top 30 Women’s Countries

June 17, 2025
Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

Manchester United Targets Double Title by 2028 Under CEO Omar Berrada

June 17, 2025
“How Many Omedis Are Out There?” Munyagwa Sparks Debate on Uganda’s Talent Scouting Crisis

“How Many Omedis Are Out There?” Munyagwa Sparks Debate on Uganda’s Talent Scouting Crisis

June 17, 2025
Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

Son’s Spurs Future Tied to Asia Tour Amid Saudi Interest

June 17, 2025
NBS Sport

© 2022 NBS Sport - Developed and maintained by Hillcom EA.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • Boxing
  • Golf
  • Netball
  • Cricket
  • Motorsport

© 2022 NBS Sport - Developed and maintained by Hillcom EA.