Government officials argue that CAF should have consulted them before taking such drastic measures, especially since the stadium had already been undergoing renovations.
Speaking today, 12 March 2025, Gerson Msigwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, confirmed that the government received the news of the stadium's suspension earlier in the day.
"It is true that we woke up today to the news that CAF has closed the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium due to issues with the pitch. Their inspection was conducted about two weeks ago, following the match between Simba and Azam. However, it is important to remember that we had already declared the stadium closed for renovations," he said.
Msigwa, who also serves as the Chief Government Spokesperson, elaborated on the circumstances leading up to CAF's decision. "These matches attract large crowds and involve numerous security measures.
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) had requested to use the stadium, and on the match day, the pitch had been trimmed down completely. Given the intensity of the game, players experienced some minor instability while running," he explained.
He further revealed that CAF officials were present during the match and advised the Tanzanian authorities to make necessary improvements. Additionally, they requested to inspect the equipment used for pitch maintenance.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cited the continued decline in the quality of the stadium's playing surface as the primary reason for the temporary suspension. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, TFF confirmed that this decision will impact upcoming fixtures.
Notably, the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) quarter-final match between Simba SC and Egypt's Al Masry, originally scheduled for April 9 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, will now need to be relocated to an alternative venue.
"CAF will conduct an inspection of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on 20 March 2025 to assess the improvements made before deciding whether to lift the suspension or extend it," the TFF statement added.
CAF has directed the Tanzanian authorities to undertake urgent improvements to meet the required standards and prevent the stadium from facing a prolonged ban.
The outcome of the scheduled inspection on 20 March will determine whether the iconic stadium can resume hosting major continental matches or remain under suspension.
The Tanzanian government remains hopeful that the ongoing renovations and collaboration with CAF will lead to a positive resolution.
For now, the spotlight remains on the efforts to restore the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to the standards expected by the continental football governing body.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/tanzania-irked-by-caf-s-decision-to-ban-benjamin-mkapa-stadium
