Niger Tornadoes have stepped up efforts to ensure they play their home matches in Minna next season, with the race now on to complete the renovation of the Bako Kontagora Stadium before the Nigeria Premier Football League’s strict club licensing inspections.
The urgency surrounding the project was underlined on Wednesday as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Musa Gusau joined Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on an inspection of the ongoing renovation work at the stadium.
With the NPFL placing greater emphasis on club licensing requirements, the state government is working against the clock to ensure the venue meets the standards required for top-flight football.
Governor Bago said the decision to rehabilitate the stadium was driven by the desire to end Niger Tornadoes’ struggles of playing home matches away from Minna.
“The stadium has served the state for many years and has outlived its usefulness.”
“We don’t want Niger Tornadoes to continue playing outside Minna, which is why we are carrying out remedial work to make the pitch playable and bring it up to the required standard,” Bago said.
The governor disclosed that the current upgrade represents the first major overhaul of the stadium’s playing surface since it was built and expressed confidence that the contractors would complete the work within the next 30 days.
He also revealed plans for the construction of a brand-new international-standard stadium expected to be completed within the next two years.
NFF President Gusau praised Governor Bago’s commitment to sports infrastructure, saying the federation considered it important to inspect the project firsthand after learning about the renovation.
“Our visit is to ensure the work meets the required standards and is completed on schedule so that Niger Tornadoes can return to playing their home matches in Minna,” Gusau said.
The NFF boss noted that the Ikon Allah Boys have endured several seasons without a suitable home ground and stressed that quality infrastructure remains a key component of the federation’s drive to improve domestic football.
Gusau also assured the Niger State Government of the NFF’s continued support, expressing confidence that the planned modern stadium.
