NFF to inspect Ahmadu Bello Stadium ahead of Afcon qualifier

 
Despite protestations by coach Sunday Oliseh's preference of Port Harcourt due to the ease of access for players, the NFF has concluded on the choice of Kaduna

The Nigeria Football Federation inspect facilities and equipment at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt this week.

The Super Eagles will host the Pharaohs on March 23 before heading to Cairo for the return leg five days later.

Despite protestations by coach Sunday Oliseh who has stated his preference for the stadium in Port Harcourt due to the ease of access for players through the international airport, the NFF has decided on the choice of Kaduna.

The decision to play in Kaduna created some controversy last year when former goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama criticized the city due to security fears.

In a media statement on Monday, the NFF’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said that the inspection visit will take place on Thursday, and that facilities to be inspected include the playing pitch of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, dressing rooms, proposed training pitches, scoreboard, sanitary facilities, spectator stands and media facilities.

Sanusi will conduct the inspection alongside the Director of Facilities at the National Sports Commission, Engineer Shehu Ibrahim.

“We will inspect the facilities alongside officials of the Kaduna State Government and the Kaduna State Sports Ministry and Football Association. There is the need to put everything in top shape ahead of this big match,” Dr Sanusi said.

“The NFF will interface with the Kaduna State Government on the areas that need to be improved upon. We will also jointly put in place a flawless medical and security plan for the match.”

Nigeria are currently second on the Group G table with three points from two matches, having beaten Chad 2-0 in Kaduna in June 2015 and drawn 0-0 with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in September 2015.

Egypt remain top of the log with maximum six points, from beating Tanzania in Egypt and Chad away in N’Djamena.