Cameroonian football legends, Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song Bahanag, were among several African football legends who joined Burkina Faso’s charismatic leader, Ibrahim Traore, to reopen a newly rehabilitated stadium in the capital city Ouagadougou on August 4.
Under Traore’s leadership, the stadium, which had been deemed substandard by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has been rehabilitated and can now host international competitions.
Monday’s ceremony drew thousands of Burkinabe who turned out to spectate a football clash pitting the country’s army against Africa’s retired football stars.
The match that played amid a downpour of rain, ended 1-1.
The day began with President Traoré hosting a special audience for African football legends who came to Ouagadougou for the reopening ceremony.
Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o, spokesperson for the delegation of the former football stars, expressed gratitude and pride.
“First of all, we want to say thank you for welcoming us to our home, your home,” Eto’o is quoted to have said.
He described the encounter with Traoré as “an immense joy,” noting, “We had the immense happiness of being received by His Excellency Mr. President of Faso, who is a pride for the Africa we love.”
Eto’o highlighted the shared moment with Traoré and the Burkinabè people, emphasizing the stadium’s reopening. “I hope that for those who are in Ouagadougou for the first time, it won’t be the last time. We need to come back because Burkina Faso is part of Africa, and as you can see, all these legends have brought a lot of smiles to this continent. We feel at home everywhere on our continent,” he added.
The stadium reopening ceremony featured a spectacular parachute jump, traditional music, dances, and cultural performances.
A highlight was the gala match between African football legends and the country’s Defense and Security Forces (FDS), ending in a 1-1 draw.
Earlier in the morning, a popular cross-country race drew a large crowd.
President Traoré, who has gained widespread popularity across Africa and abroad for his anti-imperialist policies, praised the quality of the rehabilitation work and the stadium’s strategic importance to Burkina Faso’s global standing.
After years of closure due to non-compliance with international standards, the Stade du 4 Août is now ready to host major sporting events and cultural gatherings.