NFF wants Uyo stadium closed in preparation for Nigeria, South Africa AFCON 2019 Qualifier

No activity will hold at the Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, venue of Super Eagles’ African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers billed for June and August this year, if the Akwa Ibom government hearkened to the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) plea.

The federations’ inspection team, led by the Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chris Green on Thursday expressed satisfaction with the current state of the stadium’s playing turf, which is slated to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa in eight weeks’ time.

Green, alongside NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme inspected the magnificent facility, nicknamed ‘Nest of Champions’ and which hosted the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles and Tanzania in September 2016, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying battle between the Eagles and the Fennecs of Algeria five months ago.

“We are delighted with the state of the playing turf and other facilities at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” Green told thenff.com. “I can tell you that the pitch is just as it was when the Super Eagles played Algeria in the World Cup qualifier in November last year.

“The fact that Julius Berger has also started some work on the turf is even more re-assuring. They are adding manure, and afterwards will do cutting and rolling, and they have the benefit of the weather at this period. By the time we host South Africa on 10th June, the pitch will be one of the very best anywhere in Africa.”

The visit was to ascertain the condition of the playing pitch and indeed other facilities at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, as well as the level of commitment of the State Government to hosting the big match.

However, in order to maintain the lush green state of the pitch, the inspection team advised that no activity be carried out on it until ongoing work is completed and the 2019 Cup of Nations qualifier between the Eagles and the Bafana Bafana is played.

The ‘Nest of Champions’ will also play host to the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches between the Super Eagles and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions (August 2017) and between the Super Eagles and the Chipolopolo of Zambia (October 2017).

Source: Guardian