Nigeria Super Eagles fit play their home Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania for Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos instead of their usual venue for Uyo. According to reports, Nigeria Football Federation dey consider moving the match to Lagos, although reason for the possible change never dey confirmed.
Super Eagles don play their home matches for Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State since 2022. Nigeria recently host Madagascar for an AFCON qualifier for the stadium on September 25, win 2-1. But the team suffer disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau for their next match.
Super Eagles dey scheduled to face Tanzania in a double-header next month. Nigeria go host first leg before travelling to Zanzibar City for the return match.
Lagos was once the main home of Super Eagles. The city host final of 2000 AFCON for National Stadium in Surulere, where Cameroon defeat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties to win the tournament. However, poor maintenance over the years don affect condition of Lagos stadiums.
Recent reports indicate say Teslim Balogun Stadium dey undergo renovation. The stadium now get natural grass pitch, while other important facilities also dey upgraded. If renovation work complete before November, stadium fit ready to host Super Eagles match against Tanzania.
However, the venue never receive approval from Confederation of African Football. NFF must complete necessary inspection and certification process before stadium fit approved for the match. A return to Lagos go be significant for Super Eagles, who never play there for long time. The match fit attract large crowd if proposed move approved.
For another development, National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko say Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja go get one of best playing pitches in Africa when ongoing rehabilitation complete. Dikko give assurance while providing update on stadium project, say facility expected ready next year.
According to NSC chairman, budget for project don awarded as part of Federal Government wider plan to improve sports infrastructure across Nigeria. Abuja Stadium don be major concern for Nigerian football in recent years, particularly because of poor condition of main playing surface. Super Eagles don use other venues for several home matches because of concerns over Abuja pitch.
Dikko don previously say new Abuja pitch go use same quality and technology deployed for Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Federal Government approve redevelopment of stadium main bowl earlier this year, with project cover pitch and other important facilities. Approved plans also include rehabilitation of tartan tracks and improvements to other sections of stadium.
The 60,000-plus capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium was built to host 2003 African Games but don struggle with maintenance and infrastructure challenges over the years. Latest development expected to bring renewed attention to venue, particularly with Nigeria continuing to work toward improving facilities available to national teams and athletes.
Dikko assurance also come at time when NSC dey pursue stadium upgrades in other parts of country, with facilities in several states included in broader infrastructure programme. For Nigerian football, properly maintained Abuja pitch go provide another potential home venue for Super Eagles and other national teams. Sports247 gather say Abuja Stadium expected ready next year, with NSC chairman expressing confidence that new playing surface go meet high standard when project complete.
