Ethiopian Football Federation disputes CAF stadium suspension
The waterlogged pitch of Abebe Bikila Stadium during Ethiopia's 1-1 draw against Kenya in FIFA U20 World Cup qualifying. Photo: Ethiopian Football Federation
Ethiopian Football Federation disputes CAF stadium suspension
Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) Secretary General Bahiru Tilahun has confirmed that the EFF opposed the decision taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to suspend the Abebe Bikila Memorial Stadium from hosting continental matches. CAF barred the stadium in Addis Ababa, deeming it unfit to meet the minimum requirements.
Ethiopian Football Federation general secretary Bahiru Tilahun. Photo: Ethiopian Football Federation
The move taken by CAF came in the midst of 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying as well as Ethiopian Insurance’s CAF Champions League second qualifying round game against holders Pyramids.
Tilahun told local reporters that the stadium’s grade was lowered due to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier home match between Ethiopia and Kenya.
“As you all know, the Abebe Bikila Stadium used to host preliminary round games of clubs and the women’s national side. But when Ethiopia U-20 played against Kenya, the pitch was waterlogged. CAF decided that the stadium is not fit to host matches after the match commissioners who oversaw the games of Wolayta Dicha and Ethiopian Insurance sent in their reports.”
Tilahun admitted that CAF has told the EFF to select a new neutral venue to host matches, but the move is opposed by the EFF:
“We were told to name a neutral stadium. Nonetheless, together with our club licensing officer, we opposed the decision as we still think Abebe Bikila Stadium is fit enough. We also gave the Dire Dawa Stadium and the Addis Ababa Stadium as alternative options. We are expecting the CAF inspection team. We are working so that our teams can play their home games on home soil. CAF will inspect the three stadiums again.”
CAF stadium inspection team in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
With almost no CAF-accredited stadiums, Ethiopian national sides in different age categories and clubs risk playing away from home. The EFF hopes the recent move by CAF will be reversed ahead of two crucial games involving Ethiopian sides.
The WAFCON qualifier second leg between Ethiopia and Tanzania was initially intended to be hosted at Abebe Bikila.
Ethiopian Insurance also want to play their CAF Champions League home game in Ethiopia, as they prefer the Dire Dawa Stadium.
