Estádio de Ombaka

The Estádio Nacional de Ombaka stands in the Bairro da Taka district of Benguela. Built to host matches for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the ground was inaugurated on December 28, 2009, barely a month before the tournament began. The first official match took place on January 12, 2010, when Egypt defeated Nigeria 2–1. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 spectators. The playing surface is natural grass. Before being named Estádio Nacional de Ombaka, the venue was known as Complexo da Senhora da Graça between 2009 and 2010. It serves as a home ground for several local clubs, including Clube Nacional de Benguela, Wiliete Sport Clube de Benguela, Sporting de Benguela, and Estrela Clube 1º de Maio. It is also used by the Angola national football team and the Angola women's national football team. The stadium hosted significant matches during the 2010 AFCON, including the semi-final between Egypt and Algeria (attended by 30,000 people, the venue's attendance record) and the third-place playoff between Nigeria and Algeria. The official attendance record is 30,000 spectators, set during the Egypt vs. Algeria semi-final on January 28, 2010. The construction cost was approximately US$116 million. The specific construction company is not explicitly named in available sources, though the group OMATAPALO is frequently associated with the venue in recent news.

The Estádio Nacional de Ombaka in Benguela is a landmark of white concrete and steel, rising above the Bairro da Taka neighborhood. Its identity is tied to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which forced a rapid transformation of the site from the older Complexo da Senhora da Graça. The ground opened its doors on December 28, 2009, and within weeks of the kickoff, the semi-final between Egypt and Algeria brought 30,000 fans into the stands, setting a record that still holds today.

Architecturally, the stadium is distinct for its skeletal roof and the rows of columns that define the seating tiers. Flags fly along the exterior, and the name «ESTADIO NACIONAL DE OMBAKA» is painted in red across the upper levels. It serves as a base for local clubs like Clube Nacional de Benguela and Sporting de Benguela, as well as the national squads. While the construction cost reached US$116 million, the completed structure remains a quiet presence in the city, rarely bustling outside of major tournaments or national team fixtures.