The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania is expected to receive upgrades to ensure the ground is ready for the CAF Confederation Cup Final second leg.
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Fadlu Davids' Simba SC will be playing against Moroccan outfit RSB Berkane in the continental tournament as the South African looks to bring home his first silverware with the club.
The two-legged final will be played in Morocco on 17 May, with the second leg to be played in Tanzania on 25 May.
IPP Media reported that Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma said the pitch was a key area to improve to ensure the stadium is up to standard.
A deadline of 10 May 2025 was set to ensure the ground is ready to welcome supporters from all over Africa.
“This is a matter of national pride,” said Mwinjuma. “We want Tanzanians to be proud and to witness a historic moment. The trophy is coming home, and this stadium must be ready to receive it," he added.
The deputy minister said the pitch was prioritised for immediate attention after deterioration following Simba's quarter-final clash against Al Masry.
“Over 63,000 spectators are expected to witness this historic event,” he said. “We cannot afford to compromise on the quality of the pitch or any part of the stadium. The playing surface must be flawless, and the atmosphere must reflect the magnitude of the occasion," the deputy minister added.
Among the other issues to address include infrastructure improvements such as tile installation in the referee and technical benches and temporary seats in uncovered sections.
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CAF is set to dispatch inspection teams to assess the venue's readiness and the pressure is on to ensure all preparations are completed by 10 May.
