The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not approved the refurbished Kibasa Maliba in Lubumbashi for International fixtures.
CAF inspectors that toured the Democratic Republic of Congo’s three main stadiums has ascertained that the playing surface at Kibasa Maliba is of poor quality.
The inspectors requested that the quality of the pitch should allow the ball to bounce quickly and easily circulate the pitch but that Kibasa Maliba was yet to attain that level.
They recommended that officials must ensure that playing surface is retouched to meet the specified standards for international use.
“The stadium has not been approved due to the poor quality of the playing surface. The provincial authorities are in the process of seeing how to bring the stadium authorities can improve those expectations in the coming days. For now, the teams will play their matches in Kinshasa,” stadium manager Kibasa Maliba said.
The decision by CAF handicaps Saint-Éloi Lupopo, who will continue to play their matches at the Stade de Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.
