The City of Windhoek says Sam Nujoma Stadium’s current refurbishment is not designed to meet Confederation of African Football standards, with further upgrades planned.
The current upgrade is limited to “structural renovations and upgrades”, it says.
This comes after a CAF inspector recommended expanding the stadium’s capacity to 15 000 spectators, despite the current upgrade focusing on establishing a 10 000-capacity venue.
The proposal could require changes to the cost and future work in refurbishment plans.
City spokesperson Harold Akwenye, however, says a second phase of upgrades will address further changes required to bring the stadium in line with CAF requirements.
“However, following the latest assessment and the additional requirements communicated by CAF, it is necessary to await the official report from the CAF-appointed official,” he says.
Akwenye says the report will provide clarity on the full extent of the additional requirements and will enable the city to appropriately revise the planned phase two scope of work.
“It is anticipated that the revised scope of work, and consequently the associated costs, may be significantly higher than initially anticipated,” he says.
Namibia Football Association (NFA) secretary Mabos Vries on Sunday said the expansion was a recommendation to accommodate larger crowds at international fixtures, rather than a CAF requirement.
“Past attendance at Brave Warriors matches has shown strong demand, and the stadium’s central location at Katutura makes it an attractive venue that can draw even more spectators,” he says.
The recommendation comes a year after the launch of the stadium’s N$13-million structural refurbishment, with contractors for the next phase still to be appointed.
The outstanding work includes the pitch, floodlights, dressing rooms and medical facilities. The inspection also identified changes needed to team benches and entrances used by players, VIPs and broadcasters.
An official says during the structural repairs expected on 31 October that a further procurement process was needed before the next phase could begin.
The City of Windhoek would require the inspector’s assessment and specifications before advertising for contractors.
During the visit, CAF infrastructure inspector Bianca Wambui said team benches along the pitch could obstruct the view of spectators seated behind them.
She discussed lowering sections near the pitch to accommodate the benches, while retaining space for substitutes to warm up.
The stadium also needs an enclosed, retractable tunnel to protect players entering and leaving the field.
“When the players come out they need to be protected. That’s one of the standards,” Wambui said.
She said players and VIPs currently used the same gate on the western side, and that separate entrances were needed for players, VIPs and broadcasters.
In November 2025, the city said it had allocated its contribution, appointed a contractor and handed over the site on 2 October.
However, financial difficulties at the NFA had prompted discussions about government support.
Sam Nujoma Stadium was declared unsuitable for international matches in 2021, contributing to Namibia having to stage national team home fixtures abroad.
‘CONTRACTORS’
Homateni Kapewangolo, the director of operations at New Success Investments, the contractor handling the first phase of upgrades to Sam Nujoma Stadium, on Sunday said the CAF inspectors’ recommendation to increase capacity falls outside the company’s current contract and would require separate assessment, planning, design, costing and approval
“Furthermore, the recommendations made by CAF inspectors regarding potential capacity expansion are not part of the contractor’s current scope of work,” he said.
