Gabon’s AFCON venues fall into disrepair

Three stadiums that hosted the 2012 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations have been left idle in Gabon. The country was a major powerhouse in hosting big tournaments between 2012 and 2017, but now only has one CAF-accredited stadium to host continental games.

Football : quid de la réhabilitation des stades issus des deux CAN organisées au Gabon ?
https://t.co/sGN7YodTbx

— L’Union – Sonapresse (@lunionga) October 27, 2025

Michel-Essonghe Stadium in Port Gentil, which hosted matches of the U17 and senior AFCON in 2017, Engong Stadium in Oyem, which hosted some matches of the 2017 AFCON, and Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville are now left unused. The 40,000-seater is reportedly in a deplorable condition, according to the state-owned newspaper L’Union. The stadium was said to be undergoing renovation, but it never materialized. The playing field is in poor condition, while the changing rooms have become a hideout for criminals, L’Union claimed.

Gabon is currently playing its home games at the Stade de Franceville in Franceville, which remains the only CAF-accredited stadium. The other stadiums require urgent maintenance.

Stadiums built at high costs in Africa are often left to ruin due to lack of upkeep. High running costs and insufficient funds are frequently cited as reasons for the poorly maintained stadiums in some parts of the continent.