There are clear indications that Nigeria’s 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers with Squirrels of Benin Republic will be staged at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, according to an NFF official.
Previous reports had it that the match will be played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, but the stadium has not undergone CAF’s inspection, which makes it impossible to host the game on such ground.
However Nigeria Football Federation official has now revealed that Only Stephen Keshi and Nest of Champions in UYO have undergone CAF inspection in the past, but the game can’t be played in UYO due to bad state of the tuff.
The source added the federation is aware that some Super Eagles’ players aren’t happy with the poor quality of the Asaba pitch, but it’s the only available option.
“Some of the players are grumbling about the choice of Asaba pitch but there is really nothing the NFF can do at the moment.
“The only other alternative is Uyo but the sad reality is that the pitch has been destroyed by fun-seekers.
“The Stadium management has been hiring out the pitch to people who use the venue for parties and all forms of social gatherings which has destroyed the pitch.
“The federation made everything possible to convince CAF to approve the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium since the pitch is brand new but all its efforts were futile.
“CAF said they needed to inspect the Stadium first but that time was too short to do that and that’s the reason they gave Uyo and Asaba as options since the venues have undergone inspection in the past by CAF”.
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