The first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal match between Tanzania’s Young Africans and Rivers United of Nigeria on April 23 could be played in Port Harcourt rather than Uyo.
A delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspected the Nigerian team’s home ground, Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, ahead of the Rivers United vs Young Africans match. According to reports, the inspection team was pleased with the upgraded facilities, particularly the pitch.
The Nigerian champions were reportedly exiled to Uyo for their continental campaign because the Nigerian Football Federation allegedly took too long to respond to a request for a stadium inspection.
Despite incurring significant travel expenses, Rivers performed admirably in their Confederation Cup group matches at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium, finishing second and qualifying for the quarter-finals.
According to reports, Rivers United paid the Akwa Ibom state government a 5 million naira hiring fee for the stadium and also had to pay for their security during their time there.
But that could change in the future, as CAF Stadium Inspector Nasir Jubril praised the improved state of the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium’s facilities following the inspection.
He said;
Considering the work done in the last few months when I was here and now, it’s very impressive.
The facilities have changed totally, the reserve bench is new, the grass on the pitch is a lot better, 10 times better than it was three months ago.
We have a checklist of what to look out for and I think the stadium has ticked 75 percent of the boxes. Our report to CAF will greatly determine what decision CAF will take.
Discussion about this post