Hope Rises For Rivers United As CAF, NFF Give Pass Mark On Stadium

Hope Rises For Rivers United As CAF, NFF Give Pass Mark On Stadium

By Niyi Busari 

Following encomiums poured in on 48,000 capacity Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, the venue may get CAF nod to host Rivers United CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final tie with Young African FC of Tanzania.

Nasiru Jibril, CAF stadium inspector and the Nigeria Football Federation top official was impressed with the improvement at the Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium and gave 75% pass mark after inspecting the stadium.

"I think they have done tremendous work in the last couple of months. The stadium has worn new look between now and when I was here last time. It's really very very impressive. The dressing rooms have changed hugely, the reserved bench is acceptable anywhere in the world. The grass on the pitch is a lot better. Everything is like ten times better than it was two months ago. We have a checklist of what to look out for, and I think the stadium has ticked basically 75% of the requirements.

He however said he has no power to pass the final verdict on approval of the stadium adding that his opinion will go a long way when CAF considers approving the stadium for CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final tie.

"As an inspector I don't have the power to pass green light on the stadium. And I am not expected to tell you the result of the inspection. I am not the one to take the final decision, mine is to send the pictures and videos to CAF and of course they will ask for my opinion before taking their decisions.

Elated Barrister Chris Green, the Honourable Commissioner of Sports, Rivers State said the state of the stadium presently can host high profile matches like the FIFA World Cup games. He reiterated that maintenance of the stadium will not be a one-off but continuous thing. He is confident that with the level of improvement at the stadium, CAF will give a green light to host international matches.

"You can see for yourself the level of improvement, the turf, score board, players bench, flood lights, the dressing rooms have all worn new looks to an international standard worthy of hosting a world Cup match. I believe with the new development, CAF will give a green light for the stadium to host our CAF club competition.

On his part, Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare said all hands must be on the deck in making sure that the NFF and the Ministry give adequate support to get CAF approval.

"We are here in making sure that we give all necessary supports to get this stadium approved by CAF." Chief of Staff to Minister of Sports, Abba Yola who represented Sunday Dare told journalists.

"We will work with the NFF and see how both of us can assist our darling team playing in front of their fans because that will go a long way in encouraging the only Nigeria team at the continent to go further in the competition." He concluded

Rivers United are drawn against Young African FC of Tanzania in the quarter-final of CAF Confederation Cup. The first leg holds in Nigeria on 23rd April while the second leg holds a week later on 30th April. The overall winners will advance to the semifinal of the competition.