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Claim: A Facebook post by Born 2 Blog claims that Chinese contractors have completed the renovation of the Shaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown, and that Sierra Leone can now begin to host its football games in the country.
Verdict: False!. According to Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, the Executive Director of Sierra Leone’s National Sports Authority (NSA), renovation work at the Shaka Stevens Stadium has not yet been completed. The stadium is still under construction, and the government has not officially announced its reopening for matches.
Full Text
On Oct. 8, 2025, the Facebook page Born 2 Blog posted photos of the Shaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown with the caption:
“Di Chinese man den don finally finish the renovation of the Shaka Stevens Stadium. Finally, we sef dey kam begin host we games den na Salone now.”
The post, written in Krio, suggests that the Chinese construction company has completed the long-awaited renovation of the national stadium and can now start hosting international football games again.
The post was accompanied by several photos of the stadium showing its stands and playing field. It has been shared widely, and due to the potential misinformation surrounding this claim, DUBAWA decided to fact-check it.
Verification
To determine the truth of this claim, DUBAWA contacted Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), the body responsible for sports facilities in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Abdulai clearly stated that the renovation of the Shaka Stevens Stadium is not yet finished. He explained that while the construction is at an advanced stage, several vital works remain incomplete, including the pitch, seats, and facilities inspection required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before approval for hosting international matches.
“The renovation is ongoing but not yet completed. The Chinese contractors are still working, and the stadium is not ready for games. We will officially announce when the project is completed and reopened,” Dr Abdulai said.
Additionally, a check on official government pages such as the Ministry of Sports and NSA Sierra Leone revealed no press release or announcement declaring the completion of the project.
Conclusion
The claim that Chinese contractors have completed the renovation of the Shaka Stevens Stadium is false. The National Sports Authority has confirmed that the renovation is still in progress and the stadium has not been officially reopened.
