Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Ogui Road, Enugu may soon be ranked among few sports arena across Nigeria that can host interntional football matches, as the state government, led by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has made installation of a FIFA standard grass pitch one of their priorities.
Sports247 reports that an effort to rival Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo and Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne in the privilege of hosting Super Eagles’ matches is also prominent on the cards, as renovation and remodelling of the edifice has commenced in The Coal City.
While officially declaring opening construction work at the iconic stadium, named in honour of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, of a prominent nationalist who hailed from the south-east of Nigeria, Governor Mbah advised shop owners around the premises to vacate so that the contractors will have enough space to perform their duties.
Other upgrades now embarked upon at ‘The Cathedral’ include rehabilitation of the athletics track, roofing of spectator stands, increase in seating facilities, installation of modern floodlighting, resurcitation of digital scoreboard, better safety systems, enhanced access points and provision of support structures.
A press statement from Enugu State governor’s senior special assistant on media, Onyekwelu Nwobodo revealed that the ongoing remodelling will also help in removing ugly sights from the arena and put an end to dilapidation that the facility has faced in recent time.
Nwobodo added emphatically: “This is another major investment by the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in sports infrastructure and youth development in Enugu State.”
Sports247 gathered further that all traders have up to July 20th to vacate the premises, as the state government has allocated almost N10bn for the renovation, which is also aimed at preparing the stadium to host the 2026 National Sports Festival in the fourth quarter of this year.
This comes just days after Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved only three stadia to host international matches in Nigeria – being Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio, Remo Stars in Ikenne and MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
