With the CAF Champions League taking centre stage this weekend as both Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns are in action, let's take a look at the five biggest stadiums in Africa!
1. FNB Stadium (South Africa) – 94 736
Following its expansion for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, famously hosted by South Africa, FNB Stadium or Soccer City, as it is also known, became the continent's largest ground. A staggering 94 736 people can fit inside the iconic stadium, which often hosts Bafana Bafana matches and major international rugby games. The World Cup final in 2010 was hosted at FNB Stadium, a match that ended in extra-time as Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal to inspire Spain to triumph over the Netherlands.
2. New Administrative Capital Stadium (Egypt) – 90 000
In a list provided by Football Ground Guide, the New Administrative Capital Stadium is the second largest arena in Africa and the largest in the north African country. The first matches played at the Egyptian national team's reported new home ground, situated in Cairo, came in March this year when the Pharaohs hosted New Zealand in an international friendly. Construction of the stadium, which is considered a multi-purpose facility, started in 2019 by the same engineers who helped develop Juventus' Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy.
3. Borg el-Arab Stadium (Egypt) – 86 000
Now the second-largest stadium in Egypt, located in Alexandria, the Borg el-Arab Stadium officially opened in 2009 and is home to Egyptian Premier League side Smouha. The ground was originally supposed to be one of the five big stadiums opened in Egypt as part of their bid to host the 2010 World Cup, but later became a venue the country's national team would frequent for international games after South Africa were awarded the hosting rights for the tournament.
4. Stade des Martyrs (Democratic Republic of Congo) – 80 000
Situated in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Stade des Martyrs is where the country's national side plays most of their matches. The venue was originally constructed in 1993 and hosted its first match in September 1994 when the Leopards of Zaire took on Malawi in a friendly encounter. It is estimated that the stadium cost $38 million (R729 million) to build and was overseen by a Chinese consortium. Congolese giants TP Mazembe used to play their home matches here, but now compete at the Stade TP Mazembe.
5. Cairo International Stadium (Egypt) – 75 000
Now the third biggest ground in Egypt, the Cairo International Stadium is the oldest stadium in the top five! Taking five years to construct between 1955 and 1960, this venue once held 120 000 fans, according to the abovementioned source, for a game in 1986. The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Algeria was hosted at the Cairo International Stadium, which is still considered to be the Egyptian national team's home ground. That, however, could change with the opening of the New Administrative Capital Stadium.
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