CAF Inspector Identifies Further Requirements at Sam Nujoma Stadium
The ongoing rehabilitation of Sam Nujoma Stadium has come under further scrutiny following a follow-up inspection by Confederation of African Football (CAF) infrastructure inspector Bianca Brenda Wambui.
The inspection focused on areas that still require adjustment to bring the Katutura-based stadium in line with CAF requirements and ensure that the facility can safely accommodate players, match officials and spectators.
Among the issues highlighted was the positioning of the teams’ technical areas. The home and away benches are expected to be placed approximately five metres from the pitch line and positioned in a way that does not obstruct the view of spectators seated behind them.
Because standard technical-area structures can be relatively high, modifications to the existing concrete sections may be necessary to lower the seating areas and improve visibility.
The inspection also identified the need for a clearly defined warm-up area close to the playing field, allowing substitutes to prepare without interfering with other match-day operations.
Retractable Tunnel Required
Player safety was another key area addressed during the inspection. A retractable players’ tunnel will be required to provide protection for teams entering and leaving the pitch.
The proposed tunnel should be fully enclosed and approximately 2.4 metres wide and four metres long, providing adequate protection against objects potentially being thrown from the stands.
CAF requirements also call for sufficient seating in the technical areas. Each team bench should accommodate at least 23 people, while an additional bench should provide seating for four other personnel.
Another requirement concerns match officials. A dedicated and centrally positioned area must be established for the match commissioner, general coordinator and referees. The officials’ area should also provide access to the substitution board used during matches.
Some of these requirements will require physical alterations to sections of the stadium infrastructure. Concrete structures close to the pitch may have to be lowered or modified to create the required space while maintaining clear sightlines for spectators.
The latest inspection comes as rehabilitation work at Sam Nujoma Stadium continues, with the broader project aimed at addressing long-standing structural and facility shortcomings that previously prevented the venue from hosting CAF and FIFA-sanctioned international matches.
The stadium was declared unsuitable for international football by CAF in 2021, forcing Namibia to stage several national-team fixtures outside the country.
Recent reports indicate that the current rehabilitation programme is expected to reach completion in October 2026, although additional work, including the playing surface and other outstanding stadium requirements, remains necessary before the venue can undergo final certification.
The latest CAF assessment is therefore an important step in identifying the remaining technical requirements before the stadium can potentially return to international football.
About the Author
Karrel Hamutenya is a senior sports journalist at The Updated World, with more than five years of experience reporting on local sport in Namibia and international sports news.His work covers match reports, transfer updates, and exclusive interviews with athletes, providing fans with deeper insight into the game and the people behind it.
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