Just crowned Africa Cup of Champion of Nations Senegal (AFCON) on Tuesday inaugurated a 50,000-seat stadium, the only venue in the country certified to host international football.
Thousands of The Senegalese have come together for the inauguration of the stadium aimed to make the African country the reference venue for international events.
The world- class stage in the city of Diamniadio, 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the capital Dakar, was built in just 18 months from the Turkish construction company Summa, at a cost of 156 billion CFA francs ($ 270 million).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Senegalese president Macky Sall, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, almond others.
The venue will be appointed in honor of former President Abdoulaye Wade. Sall said during the naming of the stadium was a “tribute to the multidimensional, intellectual and pan-African politician “.
“This beautiful infrastructure – dedicated to young people – is an invitation to continue ours path in direction excellence”said Sal.
jubilant crowds It came in bus and train for the inauguration, which follows Senegal’s dramatic victory at AFCON on February 6.
“It’s a source of pride in having a stadium as beautiful as this Senegal. The country needed it to restore its football image, “he said one fan, Bamba Dieng, 24.
“I’ve never seen a great stage. Hope it is maintained properly in so that it lasts for a long time, ”said Ibou Ngom, 29.
Mbaye Jacques Diop, the ministry’s communications consultant of sports said the project it was part of a program make Dakar a “sports center” for Africa.
It would mean the end matches transferred in Asia because the continent lacked infrastructure, he said.
The first big competitive match at the Stadium will be held on March 29.
Senegal launched a program to renovate its stadiums before Dakar hosts the Summer Youth Olympics in 2026.
