A 25-second video published on Facebook has gone viral, claiming to show Nzerekore's 3 April Stadium undergoing renovations. The video has been viewed over 500,000 times and has sparked widespread discussion. However, a fact-check by GuineeCheck has revealed that the video is actually footage of the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, which has been undergoing renovations since 2023.
The video, narrated in the Maninka language, praises the works of President Mamadi Doumbouya, claiming that he is working tirelessly across the country. However, several Facebook users questioned the authenticity of the video, prompting GuineeCheck to investigate further. Using the INVID tool, which allows for reverse image searches, GuineeCheck found that the video actually shows the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.
The Camp Nou stadium has been undergoing renovations as part of a project to increase its capacity to nearly 105,000 seats. The renovations began in 2023 and are expected to be completed in phases. Meanwhile, Nzerekore's 3 April Stadium has not undergone any major renovations, according to Lamine Sylla, president of the Nzerekore regional football league.
Sylla told GuineeCheck that the only current work being done at the stadium is the installation of synthetic turf on the pitch, a project funded by FIFA. The project, known as FIFA Forward, aims to improve football infrastructure in Guinea and covers three stadiums, including Nzerekore's. However, the stadium's stands remain in a state of disrepair.
A recent drone video published on September 17, 2026, shows the current state of the stadium, with the synthetic turf installed but the stands still in a degraded condition. This is consistent with Sylla's statement that no major renovations are currently underway. The stadium has a history of safety concerns, including a deadly stampede in December 2024 that resulted in multiple fatalities.
The stampede occurred during a match of the "Refoundation Tournament" and highlighted the need for improved safety measures at the stadium. Despite the viral video's claims, there is no evidence to suggest that significant renovations are currently being carried out at Nzerekore's 3 April Stadium.
GuineeCheck has attempted to contact the author of the viral video to provide further clarification but has not received a response. The fact-checking organization has verified the information through multiple sources, including the Nzerekore regional football league and recent drone footage of the stadium.
Key points
- The viral video claiming to show renovations at Nzerekore's 3 April Stadium is false and actually shows footage of the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
- Nzerekore's 3 April Stadium has only undergone minor work, including the installation of synthetic turf on the pitch, as part of a FIFA-funded project.
- The stadium's stands remain in a state of disrepair, despite the viral video's claims of major renovations.
