The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe unveiled the newly refurbished Amahoro stadium on Monday.
The grand opening of the stadium, which has been under renovation since June 2022, marked a transformative moment for Rwanda’s sports sector.
The stadium’s capacity has been expanded to 45,000 seats from its previous 25,000, positioning it as a premier venue in the CECAFA region.
At the unveiling, President Kagame saluted the good leadership of CAF President Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, highlighting their role in giving football a new facelift across Africa.
“I extend my gratitude to my brothers Patrice Motsepe and Gianni Infantino for their encouragement and support,” Kagame told the masses that gathered at Amahoro Stadium.
“Their efforts have helped Rwanda and other African nations improve football infrastructure, giving our youth the platforms they need to develop their talents.”
“With this stadium, we have the opportunity to cultivate our own football stars rather than looking abroad. We are committed to achieving great things here, driven by our dedication and hard work.”
CAF President Motsepe described Amahoro as one of the top stadiums in Africa and globally. He emphasized the pride Rwandans and Africans should feel for this achievement, made possible through President Kagame’s vision.
“This is a momentous occasion for African football,” Motsepe said. “With such a facility, we can nurture our talents and elevate the standards of the game across the continent.”
Initially planned for July 4 to coincide with Rwanda’s Liberation Day anniversary, the inauguration was moved to July 1 to avoid conflicts.
The event concluded with a match for the Amahoro Stadium Inauguration Trophy, where APR FC triumphed over Police FC 1-0, with Gilbert Mugisha scoring the decisive goal.
Previously, FIFA recently approved Amahoro Stadium to host international matches following a thorough inspection by CAF experts, which marks a significant milestone.