AFCON 2021: Olembe, 5 Other Stadiums Cameroon Will Use to Host Tournament

The 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be staged in Cameroon from January 9, 2022, bringing together 24 teams in six groups drawn from across the continent.

The tournament will bring together Africa's footballing giants as well as a few minnows who will be battling to mark a mark on the continental scene.

TUKO.co.ke takes a look at the six stadiums across five cities where the country will stage the thrilling continental matches to be beamed across the globe.

1. Paul Biya (Olembe) Stadium

Location: Yaounde

Seating capacity: 60,000

Matches: Group A

Considered the nugget of Cameroon's sports facilities, Olembe Stadium is nestled in the northern part of Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The 60,000-seater facility boasts natural grass, sidelines with 20 seats for every team, a modern media arena, as well as two studios.

Other amenities include an Olympic swimming pool, a shopping centre, a 5-star hotel and two annexe stadiums with 1,000 seats each.

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It will not only serve as the venue for both opening and closing ceremonies but will also host Group A matches comprised of hosts Cameroon, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde.

2. Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium

Location: Yaounde

Seating capacity: 42,500

Matches: Group C

The Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, located in the district of Mfandena, Yaoundé, was built in 1972 and renovated in 2016 as the country prepared to host the African Women Cup of Nations tournament.

It has a seating capacity of 42,500, is surrounded by an eight-lane athletics track, and will host Group C games pitting Morocco, Comoros, Ghana, and Gabon.

Other amenities at the facility that is also known as Yaounde Omnisports Stadium include a Media Center and Tribune, two international-level training grounds, a gymnasium with 2,000 seats, a 1,580 car park, as well as a restaurant.

3. Japoma Stadium

Location: Douala

Seating capacity: 50,000

Matches: Group E

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The Japoma Stadium Stade was designed around Cameroun's cultural environment, with the roof and envelope taking on the shape and colours of a traditionally woven basket in the country.

Located in the Japoma locality in Douala, the 50,000-capacity stadium boasts the ability to comfortably host both football matches and athletics.

The low-maintenance and economically sustainable facility was built by the Yenigun construction industry for $232 million (KSh 26.1 billion).

It will host Group E matches which consist of Ivory Coast, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

4. Bafoussam Omnisport Stadium

Location: Bafoussam

Seating capacity: 20,000

Matches: Group B

The 20,000-seater Bafoussam stadium is located in Kouekong, 16 kilometres away from the city centre and is the venue for group B matches between Malawi, Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Senegal.

It was inaugurated in 2016 and has hosted different international matches, the first-ever official match being the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Cameroon and Zambia in April 2016.

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The stadium has natural grass, a hospitality area, changing rooms, media spaces, giant screens, an electronic board, and ample lighting.

5. Limbe Sports Stadium

Location: Limbe

Seating capacity: 20,000

Matches: Group E

The one outstanding feature about the 20,000-seater Limbe Stadium is that it is among the few stadiums in the world perched high up on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

It is located eight kilometres from the city centre, equipped with natural grass, an athletics track, access ramps for physically handicapped people, as well as state-of-the-art media booths.

The modern stadium not only has two training grounds and ample parking but also boast of having hosted several official matches by the national team, Indomitable Lions.

Limbe Stadium was built in 2014 and played host to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2016, CHAN in 2021, and is set to host Group E Matches in AFCON between Mali, Tunisia Gambia and Mauritania.

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6. Roumde Adjia

Location: Garoua

Seating capacity: 30,000

Matches: Group D

The 30,000-capacity Roumde Adjia stadium which was built in 1978 and renovated in 2021 by Mota-Engil will host Group D matches featuring Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

This stadium will host Group D Matches of the 2021 African Cup of Nations which involves Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

Roumde Adjia, located in the northern part of Cameroon called Garoua, is home to 15-time domestic champions Coton Sport.