Paris 2024: Why NFF Denied Olympic Eagles Use of MKO Abiola Stadium

Paris 2024: Why NFF Denied Olympic Eagles Use of MKO Abiola Stadium

Niyi Busari

The Nigeria U23 national team who resumed their training session in Abuja on Monday will leave for the venue of their 2024 African Olympic qualifying game against Guinea on Friday, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Meanwhile, there is uncertainty on where the game will hold as the team may host the final qualifying fixture against Guinea either in Ibadan or Benin, Edo State as Super Eagles 2023 African Nations Cup qualifier holds two days after U23 Eagles match. To avoid pressure on the Moshood Abiola Stadium turf, the Olympic Eagles are therefore moved to another venue.

According to an inside source, "The playing turf of the Adamasingba Stadium is a source of worry for the team as it wouldn't want to take chances in the game against Guinea.

" The turf has not helped the players free flow of football as they struggled to string one or two passes in the game against Tanzania. So the team has pleaded to the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) to have the game moved to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

"Though, the Oyo State Executive Governor, His Excellence Seyi Makinde has given his go ahead for the game to hold at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, but there were complains from the team as regards the quality of the playing surface.

"While Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is tipped as replacement, the Edo State government has kept mute on hosting the international match.

The home-based U23 resumed training in Abuja on Monday at the training pitch of the Moshood Abiola Stadium Package A, Abuja.

Meanwhile, with match is slated for 22nd March, the Super Eagles AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Guinea Bissau has forced the Olympic Eagles team who are training in Abuja opted for another ground for their practice session ahead their 2024 Olympic qualifier tie with Guinea. 

Both qualifiers are within two days interval, as the NFF instructed the Olympic Eagles that they can't play their match at the MKO Abiola pitch owing to the Super Eagles game.