In a recent hours, Kigali City announced a shift in scheduling for Rwanda Premier League games due to issues with the power generator at Kigali Pele Stadium. The current generator is inadequate for the stadium’s lighting needs during night matches, leading to a request for teams to reschedule their games to earlier times. This change, including a rescheduling of Rayon Sports’ 6:00 PM match to 3:00 PM, has disrupted teams’ plans and raised concerns within the football community.
The situation has drawn criticism, particularly after a post from @chroniclesRW on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the discrepancy of a stadium funded by FIFA and approved by CAF lacking adequate power infrastructure. In response, Kigali City assured that while the issue is being addressed, teams are permitted to bring additional generators if needed. They promised a solution with a new, more powerful generator expected to arrive within three months.
However, this response did little to alleviate frustration. Just hours later, his Excellency President Paul KAGAME expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, emphasizing that such issues should not have occurred. His comments reflect the disappointment of seeing problems with Kigali Pele Stadium, which he inaugurated on March 15, 2023, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other football dignitaries.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges with infrastructure management and the impact on football operations in Rwanda. As the stadium’s power issues continue, the football community waits for a resolution that meets the standards expected for a venue of its caliber.