Guinea football stadium infrastructure development

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted temporary Category 3 certification to Guinea’s Stade du 28 Septembre for September 2026. This follows extensive rehabilitation work by Guicopres BTP and allows the Guinea national team to host 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches on home soil, ending a nearly five-year period where national teams and clubs were forced to play matches abroad due to non-compliant infrastructure.

Renovation efforts continue at other venues, including the Stade Général Lansana Conté de Nongo, where the arrival of new turf has allowed installation to begin. Sports Minister Cellou Baldé noted that if completed in time, the national team, Syli National, could host its November match at this venue. Regarding the Stade du 28 Septembre, FEGUIFOOT Secretary General Elhadj Ibrahima Barry Blasco stated that work is approximately 95% complete, with remaining tasks focusing on installing signage and acquiring a second generator to ensure power reliability.

However, authorities have launched investigations into the management of these projects. Former Minister of Youth and Sports Kéamou Bogola Haba is being questioned as part of an inquiry into renovation costs estimated at approximately $250 million. While Minister Baldé defended the expenditure by noting that international infrastructure costs are indexed to global market rates, specific points of contention include the decision to use natural grass at the 28 Septembre stadium and alleged budget increases. Former Minister Haba estimated the Nongo complex requires roughly $120 million for completion, while the 28 Septembre works are estimated at $130 million.