[size=14pt]Arsenal's game against Nigeria in Abuja unlikely to go ahead.[/size]
Posted on June 29, 2012 by admin

There was a great fanfare this week as Arsenal, along with the promoters, announced officially that the Gunners were set to take on the Super Eagles at the Nigerian National Stadium at Abuja on August the 4th, but it now seems very unlikely that the pitch will be ready to host the game.

A journalist from AllAfrica went to Abuja to talk to Katmwan Dungse, who manages the National Stadium and he has refused to make any comment on the match as he has received no communications from the promotors to say it will go ahead.

[b]But more importantly, back in May the pitch was inspected and was in no condition for any game to be played on, never mind football, and the organizers promised to get it repaired in time for Arsenal’s visit. A spokesman said: “After reviewing the recommendations of our grounds men, we have resolved to change the pitch of the Abuja national stadium,”

“We need to do this because we don’t want any kind of injuries by the Arsenal players. We are committed to having the Wenger boys here. That is why the grounds men at the Emirates came here. So, the pitch you would see on August 2 would be same you watch week in, week out at the Emirates.”

“We have two months before the game and that is enough time for our grounds men to finish the job.

“But we have to first inform the National Sports Commission because we expect to get part refund for the work on the pitch.”

But it looks like there has been no work started on the pitch, in fact the journalist only saw people trying to clear the pitch of pebbles, and with just five weeks to go before the game there is little time to prepare and grow a completely playable pitch.

Because of the state of the Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria’s last two international games have had to be switched to Calabar. If Arsenal are still going to go ahead with the game, it is very unlikely to be in Abuja.[/b]

Yomieluv: Eko-ile,next time when you want to start a thread,get your facts right,do you think NL is filled with dullards,who you can pass junks to,and expect us to swallow it?
The caption ran by The punch embarrassed the GEJ government,and immediately,moves were made to renovate the said stadium,under a new management. I guess one of the purpose of a media is to criticize,which a responsible government would react to. Leaving the stadium to rot isn't a News,what should be News is the reaction of the government.which the GEJ responded positively.

Stop feeding us with junks.

yorke:

Haba! Why don't you fear God. You still trying to reverse the truth glaring in the eyes of all. You must be very wicked.

eko ilee:

so the governments reaction to the story about their incompetency is what's important and not the fact that they did not do their job by letting a multi billion naira stadium where your national team call home rot away .?

Are you happy that your lazy and incompetent government is constantly wasting resources all the time to clean up their shame and them go back to square one?

.You people need to keep quiet because your shameful excuses are worse than the main story....

only in Nigeria people defend and make excuses for what they should be condemning.

Rhino.5dm:


Google the meaning of sarcasm.

Yomieluv: we are getting there as a nation,am not defending leaving it to rot,but commending the reaction of the GEJ administration to media. You are the one who needs to shut up,and put up a waterproof story.

Eko Ile:


How exactly are you getting their and would they have responded without the press and public outcry? You mean they didn't know that the National team don't have a functional home and training field?


How are you getting their with the same people responsible for the rot are still in charge especially when in other sane places, their get fired on the spot?

How are you getting their with federal stadiums all over the country in shambles especially the one in Lagos that they don't even refer to anymore as if it doesn't exist?

Why should we commend people for ineptitude and incompetency? Are for real or you are just naturally dumb and stupid?

Byline: Juliana Taiwo

Abuja, Aug 02, 2005 (This Day/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- The Federal Ministry of Sports and Social Development is working in conjunction with authorities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to ensure that the Abuja National Stadium is served adequately with electricity and water supply.

The Minister of Sports and Social Development, Dr. Saidu Samaila Sambawa made this known while responding to journalists' questions at the FIFA Goal Project Site at the Abuja Stadium.

He debunked claims that the Abuja Stadium was poorly maintained and said that in the contrary, government had kept the stadium in prime condition

Yomieluv: I thought I was conversing with someone with higher IQ,but met with the opposite. GEJ was embarrassed,and handed over the maintenance to Julius Berger,because the people at the helms of affair then were sacked. Development is gradual,not spontaneous. Mr oga,get that to your dumb skull. Am holding fort for the Abuja stadium,and not other institution,cos you claim its in a state of rot. YOU ARE A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR. Bootlicker.

Eko Ile:



Put up facts to back up your rubbish or STFU.

Eko Ile: ^^^^^^^^ Trolls = No facts..

Eko Ile:



Put up facts to back up your rubbish or STFU.

Sincere 9gerian: Since we'r doing comparison, maybe we should also compare Lagos Television (LTV) versus NTA.

The ONLY programme I tune to LTV on DSTV to watch is sports splash (presented by Godwin Enekhena). Unfortunately, most times I dont get to see the programme due to LTV incompetence and cluelessness. NTA does not have too many fantastic programmes but atleast for the few programmes I watch on it, you can be sure to see it when you tune in.

Sincere 9gerian: Since we'r doing comparison, maybe we should also compare University of Lagos (UNILAG) versus Lagos state university (LASU)

solomon111: Is it the abuja stadium that is currently undergoing repairs and upgrades.?
Must you politicize everything.?
Some people are very very untruthful.
Smh.

eko ilee:

The abuja stadium is still a mess unless you have pictures to show us stating its current state.

That's even irrelevant, the question is, why was the stadium neglected and let rot .? why? where was the government? where was the sports ministry.? where was football federation.? After spending billions on repairs, It's still going to be neglected all over again because the sane lazy, corrupt and incompetent people are still in charge.