Stade Modibo Keïta is a multi-purpose stadium in Bamako, Mali. It is currently used mostly for football matches, serving as a home ground for AS Real Bamako and, occasionally, the national team. The stadium holds 35,000 people [2] and is named after President Modibo Keïta.

Stade Modibo Kéïta
Map
Former namesStade Omnisports de Bamako
LocationBamako, Mali
Coordinates12°39′35″N 7°59′35″W / 12.65972°N 7.99306°W / 12.65972; -7.99306
Capacity35,000[1]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built12 June 1963
Opened2 December 1967
BuilderSovieto-Malian Cooperation
Tenants
Mali national football team
AS Real Bamako
A beautiful cliff overlooks the stadium

History edit

The construction of the stadium started on 12 June 1963 by a Soviet-Malian cooperation under the order of the president Modibo Keïta. It was opened on 2 December 1967. The stadium change the name to Modibo Keïta Stadium on 4 July 1987.

2002 African Cup of Nations edit

The stadium played host to a total of seven matches during the 2002 African Cup of Nations. It was the primary venue for Group D, hosting five of the six matches from the group, as well as one quarterfinal game and one semifinal game.

Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, and Zambia made up Group D and Stade Modibo Keïta saw a variety of attendance for the matches between these sides. Only 3,000 were on hand for the Egypt - Tunisia match on January 25, half as many as the January 21 encounter between Zambia and Tunisia which saw 6,000 in attendance. However, fans flocked to the stadium when neighbors Senegal played. 20,000 turned up for the opening match of the group on January 20 between Senegal and Egypt and attendance hit 20,000 again for the Senegal - Zambia match on January 26. 10,000 witnessed the final group game between Egypt and Zambia on January 31.

In the quarterfinals, the stadium was filled to capacity as Senegal defeat Congo DR. Three days later, Senegal returned in the semifinals to defeat Nigeria 2–1 in extra time in front of 20,000.

Date Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Spectators
20/01/02   Senegal 10   Egypt Group D 20,000
21/01/02   Zambia 00   Tunisia Group D 6,000
25/01/02   Egypt 10   Tunisia Group D 3,000
26/01/02   Senegal 10   Zambia Group D 20,000
31/01/02   Egypt 21   Zambia Group D 10,000
04/02/02   Senegal 20   DR Congo Quarterfinals 25,000
07/02/02   Senegal 21 aet   Nigeria Semifinals 20,000

February 2011 Stampede edit

On 21 February 2011, 36 people were killed and more than 60 were injured in a stampede at the stadium, as people attempted to receive a blessing from the imam Osman Madani Haidara during the festival of Maouloud.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Stade Omnisports Modibo Keïta - Soccerway".
  2. ^ "Brikama draws Esperance in CAF Champions League while Gamtel scheduled to take on Real Bamako in CAF Confederations Cup". West Coast Radio. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  3. ^ "Mali stampede in Bamako 'kills dozens'". BBC News. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 2015-05-31.