Rwanda’s Amahoro Stadium, renovated to a 45,000-seat capacity from its previous 25,000, was inaugurated Monday in a ceremony attended by President Paul Kagame, making it only the third CAF Certified stadium in East Africa.
The stadium, under renovation since 2022, now meets international standards approved by experts from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for hosting international matches.
Among the dignitaries at the event were CAF President Patrice Motsepe, Rwanda Football Association (Ferwafa) President Alphonse Munyantwari, and Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju. The inauguration also featured a domestic friendly match between APR and Police.
Kagame expressed gratitude to CAF and FIFA for their support during the refurbishment, emphasizing the stadium’s potential to foster talent development within Rwanda.
“Let me thank brother Patrice Motsepe of CAF and another brother, FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” Kagame said. “Both of them inspired us to enhance our sports infrastructure. They have supported Rwanda and other African countries in elevating the standards of African football.”
He added, “This will allow us to raise more talent in our country instead of importing them from abroad. Today is a great day for Rwanda and football, and we will continue to improve.”
Motsepe praised the upgraded facility, envisioning Rwanda becoming a formidable force in African football.
“This is one of the best stadiums in Africa and in the world,” Motsepe said. “We, as Rwandans and Africans, should be proud and thank President Kagame for providing us with such a facility.”
The Amahoro Stadium now joins Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam as the only FIFA-standard venues in East Africa.
In the celebratory match, APR clinched victory over Police 1-0, with Gilbert Mugisha netting the decisive goal.
