Work has commenced on the pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo ahead of next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Algeria.
This follows complaints by Super Eagles’ players after last month’s 2017 Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania, prompting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to write to Governor Udom Emmanuel on the issue and which was followed up with a first inspection of the pitch on Saturday.
The NFF’s inspection team, led by the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, and including Assistant Director (Technical) Siji Lagunju and Chief Sports Officer, Sunday Okayi, was received and taken on the tour of the venue by Hon. Monday Uko, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Engineer Etido Inyang.
The Consultant to Julius Berger, the world –renowned construction company handling the work, was with the team.
A second inspection has been fixed for Tuesday, 25 October while the final inspection will come up on Wednesday, November 2.
“It is a task that we are approaching with all seriousness, and we want to appreciate the Akwa Ibom State Government for the seriousness that it is also attaching to this important task,” Ikpeme told thenff.com.
Earlier on Thursday, 13 October, NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi and Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Chris Green, as well as Ikpeme, held a meeting with Hon. Uko to discuss logistics in order to ensure seamless organisation of the big match.
Also on Thursday, the NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Ikpeme led Mr. Abdelwahab Djahid Zefizef, 1st Vice President of the Algeria Football Federation on a guided tour of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, following a written request to that effect by the FAF.
African qualifying Series Group B leaders, Nigeria, host Algeria’s Fennecs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on November 12 in one of the Matchday 2 encounters.
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