The Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Mr. Gernot Rohr, was at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, on Friday, for an on-the-spot assessment of the facilities ahead of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Nigeria and Lesotho scheduled for March 2021.
The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Sola Aiyepeku, who led the Eagles Manager and others on the inspection tour, reiterated that the pitch will be match-ready before the game next month, adding that the grass is already lush-green and there are just little finishing touches to be put in place before the qualifying match.
He said: “I am really happy that the Super Eagles Coach, who came for an on-the-spot assessment of the stadium to evaluate the level of our readiness was satisfied with what he saw at the Teslim Balogun Stadium”.
“I assure the Eagles Coach that the Teslim Balogun Stadium is a viable option for Nigeria’s home match against Lesotho. We have re-grown the grass in the last 15 months and a lot of work is in progress to ensure that the pitch is match-ready”, he added.
Also speaking during the facility tour, the First Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, said that Lagos, as the Centre of Excellence, is ready to host the Eagles and Lesotho teams.
In his words: “The Lagos State Government had been working on the stadium long before now. Anybody who was here nine months ago would see the level of work done on the pitch. The dressing rooms are top class as well as other facilities, and these are more than enough to host international matches at the Teslim Balogun Stadium”.
“Before we knew that we are going to plan and host any match, work had started on the facility”, he added.
