Ouagadougou – Following the draw for the CAN 2023, Burkina Faso’s Stallions have been placed in Group D and will play their group matches at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, Ivory Coast’s second-largest stadium after the Ebimpé stadium. The Stade de la Paix, along with five other stadiums, will host matches for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Côte d’Ivoire in 2023.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Stade de la Paix, known for its symbolic significance since the “flame of peace” ceremony in 2007 that aimed to reduce tensions in war-torn Ivory Coast, has a seating capacity of 40,000, similar to the Félix Houphoët Boigny stadium. This will be the second occasion that the stadium hosts CAN matches, with the first being in 1984.
Renovations of the stadium have reportedly cost between 200 and 300 million CFA francs. The refurbishments include separate accesses for players and officials, updated locker rooms, and adherence to safety standards. The pitch, official box, stands, locker rooms, protective grilles, infirmary, and toilets have all undergone extensive renovation.
A delegation from Burkina Faso, comprising members of the ministry in charge of sports, the Burkinabè Football Federation, and the head coaches of the Etalons, visited the renovated stadium and its facilities on Friday, December 1. The delegation members expressed positive opinions about the infrastructure.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed that following a visit by CAF experts, the infrastructure meets international standards. Pool D, which includes Burkina Faso, Algeria, Angola, and Mauritania, will compete at the Stade de la Paix.
The CAN 2023 in Ivory Coast is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.