After complaints by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and his players, there are indications that Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa may direct the state’s sports commission to re-grass the Stephen Keshi Stadium turf in a bid to address situation.
Since the opening of the stadium, some high-profile games have been played there with the biggest being the Super Eagles friendly versus Uganda last November.
But officials and players of the national team were reportedly not happy with the state of the newly-built stadium.
However, the stadium is scheduled to host the Nigeria versus Seychelles AFCON 2019 qualifier in March as well as the Nigeria versus Egypt friendly.
It was learnt that Okowa had been briefed on the concerns raised by Rohr and his players, which a source said could make the gocernor opt for a geo-tech pitch.
“Governor Okowa is thinking of going for an artificial turf if that would be the best option. He doesn’t want a situation where the Eagles would complain about the pitch now that the NFF is making the place the new home of the national team. This pitch challenge is what is making the NFF take the Eagles to different venues across the country. The governor may however seek NFF’s input to arrive at a final decision,” a source said.
It was also learnt that the Delta governor is impressed with the praises the pitch at the Enyimba stadium has received from clubs that have played there and may settle for that type.
Clubs at the just-concluded NNL Super 8 play-offs hailed the Enyimba stadium, built by a Nigerian indigenous firm, Monimichelle Sports Construction Limited, after the competition won by Kada City Stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment