Estádio da Cidadela is a stadium in

Luanda Luanda ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Angola, largest city of Angola. It is Angola's primary port, and its major industrial, cultural and urban centre. Located on Angola's northern Atlantic coast, Luanda is Ang ...

Angola Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-Central Africa, central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Portuguese-speaking world, Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) country in both total area and List of c ...

. It is used mostly for

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

matches, while sometimes hosting cultural events, including musical concerts. It is part of the Complexo Desportivo da Cidadela, along with the Pavilhão da Cidadela, Pavilhão Anexo and Pavilhão Anexo II. While originally holding 60,000 people, in 2006, the stadium's upper ring has been declared unsafe by the CAF and banned for public use. Therefore, the capacity currently holds 40,000 spectators Until Angola's independence in November 1975, the stadium has been owned by Futebol Clube de Luanda, one of the most traditional and historical clubs in Luanda. Shortly after, it has been nationalised for the purpose of general government use. The stadium is often referred to as ''the cathedral of Angolan sports'' as over the years, it has witnessed some of the most important events in Angolan sports. Among other events, it has hosted the 2nd Central African Games, for which it was re-inaugurated on December 10, 1981. The stadium is also considered to be special to the

Angola national football team The Angola national football team () represents Angola in men's international Association football, football and is controlled by the Angolan Football Federation. Nicknamed ''Palancas Negras'' (Black Giant sable antelope, Sable antelopes), the ...

and especially for Angolan football hero

Akwá Fabrice Alcebiades Maieco (born 30 May 1977), commonly known as Akwá, is an Angolan former professional association football, football player who played as a forward (association football), forward for the Angola national football team, Angol ...

. From 2010 however, it has been overshadowed by the newer, modern

Estádio 11 de Novembro The Estádio 11 de Novembro is a multi-use stadium in Talatona (near Luanda), Angola. Completed in 2010 ahead of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship rea ...

. At present, the stadium is being used by Girabola clubs Progresso do Sambizanga and

ASA Asa may refer to: People and fictional characters * Asa (given name), a given name, including a list of people and fictional characters so named * Asa people, an ethnic group based in Tanzania * Aṣa, Nigerian-French singer, songwriter, and reco ...

as their home ground.

References

External links

Complexo Desportivo Paralímpico
Sports venues in Luanda Cidadela

Multi-purpose stadiums in Africa 1972 establishments in the Portuguese Empire 1970s establishments in Angola Sports venues completed in 1972 {{Angola-sports-venue-stub