Why CAF Approved Akpabio Stadium, Snubbed MKO For AFCON Qualifiers

The sorry state of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, was one of the reasons the Confederation of African Football (CAF) did not approve the arena for Nigeria’s remaining African Cup of Nations qualifiers. CAF, instead, approved the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, for the rest of the qualifiers.

A report by Toyosi Afolayan of International Centre for Investigative Reporting, said the poor state of the playing pitch was the damning factor for CAF’s decision.

According to a press release by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday, the Abuja national stadium will not host Nigeria’s last home game as it was not among the approved stadiums.

Dangote Group of Companies in December 2021, handed over to the Federal Government, an Abuja national stadium, which had a refurbished football field and new computerised scoreboards.

The renovation of the stadium by Dangote Group was funded through the Adopt-a-Pitch Initiative, which sought to use private partnerships to improve the development of athletes in the nation.

Ten months after the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja, was turned over to the Federal Government by the Dangote Group of Companies, the stadium’s renovated football field had returned to its previous pitiful condition.

When the Super Eagles defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 in an AFCON qualifier played in June 2022, the rough field prevented free movement of the ball, and the grass in some areas had already vanished.

Fast forward to July 2022, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development completed the revamping of the football pitches at the stadium. But Super Eagles lamented the state of the pitch when they surprisingly lost to Guinea Bissau in an AFCON qualifying match in March 2023.

The Super Eagles loss to the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau was allegedly caused by the poor playing surface of the stadium, according to Everton and Super Eagles star, Alex Iwobi.

The Super Eagles will be making a return to the Godwin Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, known as the ‘Nest of Champions,’ following the latest announcement by CAF. The senior men’s national team last played at the stadium in 2019.

The Super Eagles’ next game in the qualifiers is an away clash against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on June 18, 2023. The game will be played at a neutral venue as no stadium in Sierra Leone was approved by CAF.

The Super Eagles will then host Sao Tome and Principe in their final match of the qualifiers in Uyo in September.

Jose Peseiro’s side top Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with nine points and need a point from their next game against Sierra Leone to secure a place in Cote d’Ivoire.

(Guardian)