In a latest development announced by the NFF, the Super Eagles will play their international fixtures at the Akwa Ibom stadium until further notice.
The Nigerian National football team have the destination for the next set of international matches which will take place in the coming months. The Super Eagles have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations but they still have one more match to play as well as the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Super Eagles to play international games at Godswill Akpabio International stadium
The next six international matches for Nigeria will take place in Uyo, beginning with the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against São Tomé and Principe on September 10, 2023. The 2026 World Cup qualifiers will also take place at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
All Super Eagles games will now be played at the Godswill Akpabia Stadium, Akwa Ibom till further notice.
The disappointments at Abuja Stadium have to stop. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4QF2qe0tPC
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) August 10, 2023
The NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau made this important announcement when he paid a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Gusau said that he was in the state to ask for the support and alliance of the state Akwa Ibom Government with regard to the hosting of these international matches. They also used the opportunity to announce that the Godswill Akpabio International stadium has been approved by both FIFA and CAF to host international matches in the country.
Gusau made mention of the winning record the Super Eagles possess when they play at the stadium fondly nicknamed ‘The nest of Champions’ as well as the conducive environment as some of the factors which made the decision of the country’s football body to choose Uyo as the host city a pretty easy one for them.
The NFF president was also accompanied by the South-South representative on the NFF board, Otuekong Nse Essien, as well as some some state FA Chairmen like the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Football Association Normalization Committee, Prince Bonny Nyong, with other important stakeholders in tow.
Responding to the NFF president's request, Abia state’s Governor Umo Eno assured the NFF President of the backing and collaboration of the Government and citizens that reside in the state. He then stated that the Nest of Champions is an internationally acclaimed stadium and the maintenance contract that they have with the very popular construction company , Julius Berger, has been recently renewed.
Also in attendance at the visitation of the NFF president were Akwa Ibom State Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, Elder Paul Bassey, and members of Akwa Ibom State Football Association Normalization.
The two previous home games in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau were hosted at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in the country’s Federal Capital territory, Abuja.
Brief history of the Godswill Akpabio stadium
Formerly known as the Akwa Ibom international stadium, was constructed by Julius Berger and the construction of the stadium was complete by 2014. The stadium was renamed Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium, immediately following Godwill Akpabio’s inauguration ceremony on May 29, 2015.
It is a 30,000 seater stadium was modeled after the Allianz Arena which is home of the most dominant team in Germany, Bayern Munich.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 months ago
