After their triumph at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations on February 6, Senegal unveiled a new 50,000 seater stadium.
The new stadium named in honor of former President Abdoulaye Wade was unveiled to thousands in an event hosted by the President Macky Sall.
Also in attendance at the event was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and other top names around the world.
The state-of-the-art facility is built in the city of Diamniadio, 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the capital Dakar. A Turkish firm, Summa construction company, was contracted to build the stadium at the cost of 156 billion CFA francs ($270 million).
Speaking at the unveiling, Sall said naming the stadium after Wade, was a tribute to the multidimensional, intellectual, pan-Africanist politician”.
He added that the stadium is dedicated to the young people of the country “as an invitation to continue our path towards excellence.
In a report by AFP, fans of the Teranga Lions of Senegal narrated their excitement with the stadium.
Photo: @Kosi_foottalk (Source: Twitter)
A fan, Bamba Dieng, 24 said, “it’s a source of pride to have a stadium as beautiful as this Senegal. The country needed it to restore its footballing image”.
Ibou Ngom, 29, said, “I’ve never seen such a great stadium. I hope it will be properly maintained so that it lasts for a very long time.
Senegal is set to host the Summer Youth Olympics in 2026 and the new stadium construction is part of its program to get ready for the event.
The stadium will host its first competitive match on March 29.
