Super Eagles



The Nigeria Football Federation said on Thursday that it is yet to pick a venue for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying matches involving the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, next month.

Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama said that the NFF Executive Committee will soon meet to deliberate on the report of the Technical Sub-Committee members who inspected the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri and the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

“After an inspection team led by the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari visited the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday, a decision was taken that the place should be ruled out of contention. The pitch is bad and there is no way it can be ready in four weeks.

“However, for the avoidance of doubt, we have not picked a venue for either the World Cup qualifier against Namibia on June 3 or the Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda on June 17. The NFF Executive Committee will meet soon to take a decision on this, having in mind the standard requirements as stipulated by FIFA and CAF and with the best of intentions,” Inyama said.

The NFF Executive Committee member also commended the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa for the interest shown in the activities and programmes of the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Teams.

“We appreciate the keen interest and support of Governor Yakowa in our programmes and in the development of Nigeria football generally,” said Inyama.

The Super Eagles will regroup in Abuja on Sunday ahead of an international friendly match against Peru in Lima on May 23, after which the team will settle down to the very serious business of preparing for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Malawi on June 3 and 10 respectively, and the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda on June 17.

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari is in London ahead of Sunday’s launching of a Foundation by former Super Eagles’ striker, John Chukwudi Utaka.

The showpiece event in the British capital has also attracted top political figures, captains of industry and sports chieftains from across Nigeria and the African continent.

John Utaka played for Nigeria at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Korea and Japan and was in the squad that represented Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa – the first FIFA World Cup finals on African soil.

Utaka, who also played for Nigeria at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 African Cup of Nations, played professionally in Egypt, France and England, and is presently with table-topping French Ligue 1 club, Montpellier.



http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nff-no-venue-yet-for-eagles-matches/115067/