Nigerian football stakeholders believe the newly refurbished Adokie Aimiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, has the facilities to successfully host the African Cup of Nations, which Nigeria is bidding to co-host with Benin Republic, as well as the final of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Last week, CAF officials visited the stadium to ascertain the state of its facilities ahead of Rivers United’s Confederation Cup quarterfinal against Young Africans of Tanzania. After the exercise, the inspectors gave the stadium a pass mark, although they advised continuous maintenance of its facilities.
At the stadium during the inspection was Chief of Staff to Sports Minister, Alhaji Abba Yola, who commended Rivers State government for effecting changes in the facility, saying Nigeria now has a ground to ask CAF to approve the venue for Rivers United.
According to Yola, who said the stadium could host any game, whether local or international, “The pitch looks as if the turf has been relayed and I can tell you without mincing words that this is the type of pitch you see in great footballing nations. I commend the Rivers State government for the tremendous work it is doing on this stadium,” he said.
Yola advised the stadium managers to continue improving on the facilities, saying the Adokie Aimiesiamaka Stadium can host the CAF Confederation Cup final if the facility remains in an excellent state.
IMC general manager, who was also at the stadium as an observer, echoed Yola’s optimism that the stadium would pass CAF’s test, saying that Nigerians should commend the Rivers State government for the job it has done on the facility.
“Without prejudice to the CAF representative here, on our own side, we will admit that there is a massive improvement in the facilities. It is good to go, but the final decision rests with CAF.”
