The 15,400 – capacity Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba will host next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced.
“We have finally settled for the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba for the qualifying match against Sierra Leone. The match will be played on Friday, 27th March 2020,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said at the weekend.
The venue, named after former Nigeria captain and coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (of blessed memory), has hosted several international matches involving the Super Eagles and the Nigeria U23 squad, since it was opened two years ago.
Uganda was the first opposition entertained at the venue by the Super Eagles -in a friendly match – days after Nigeria sealed a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations ticket in South Africa in November 2018. The match ended scoreless.
The Eagles have since lashed Seychelles 3-1 (2019 AFCON qualifier) and pipped seven –time African champions Egypt 1-0 (a friendly) at the same venue, as well as enacting a scoreless draw with Zimbabwe in a pre- 2019 AFCON friendly in June last year.
The U23 boys turned back Libya and Sudan in 2019 U23 AFCON qualifying matches at the same venue.
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With the Nigeria Football Federation having picked March 27 for the first match, the Sierra Leone Football Association is now most likely to opt for Tuesday, 31st March (the final day in the FIFAwindow) for the return leg scheduled for the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown.
Victory in next month’s Matchday 3 fixture against the Leone Stars will take the Super Eagles closer to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals, as they currently perch at the top of their pool with the maximum six points from their first two matches and a goals difference of plus three. A 2-1 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on 13th November was followed by a 4-2 whiplash of Lesotho in Maseru four days later.
The Super Eagles have further dates against the Squirrels of Benin Republic in Cotonou (in June) and the Crocodiles of Lesotho in Nigeria (in September).
6 Comments
Back to square this country matter tire me. When are we going to learn? How can you keep taking matches to a pitch players complain about when we have better pitches in UYO. We are about to witness another boring television coverage again!
It seems this is another match I’ll have to make do with following results on Twitter rather than subjecting my eye to pain like the last one broadcast (actually, ‘butchered’ by obsolete NTA).
No one has enjoyed any SE match played on this Asaba stadium – from the Ugandan (which was a mudfest) to the Seychelles match. Rohr and the players don’t like the stadium either. Yet, Pinnick keeps forcing his controversial decisions down everyone’s throat. I bet he didn’t even consult/inform Rohr and his captain. No respect for the old German. And the last SE match against Benin Republic, everyone watching at home had eye problem.
This Pinnick started well, but he’s beginning to misbehave and politicize SE match venues and staff appointments. I wonder how or when he can be removed.
Confused nff
This us what happened when corruption reigns in a Country. It is going to be like this forever if we keep repeating the same thing every year.
Hmmmm, in every profession, there most be enough professionals staffs on board.
What qualified Amaju and the current NFF to be at the office as the Nigeria Football Federation?
I’m feeling very sorry for Nigeria football. Having Amaju and his company at the office, is like putting Agbero people in charge of money (bank) and you are expected of them to be functioning well, real?
It is high time our ex players have to be on board. They have to be on board. No no no, we can’t continue this way.
I have been saying this long time ago, Lagos state is the home of the Super Eagles.
No place like home but NFF doesn’t understand this. They have to bring back the home of the Super Eagles to Lagos and it have to be in one place.
If NFF likes, they should hire Okocha and Kanu plus a world class coach, as Super Eagles managers, without a solid plan and good structure, they are not going to achieve anything. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Q: “…..What qualified Amaju and the current NFF to be at the office as the Nigeria Football Federation?….”
A: The same circumstance that qualified someone who isn’t a coach to be appointed as Asst Coach of the Super Eagles (and possibly the coach of the SE if Rohr’s contract ends up not being renewed).
“…..If NFF likes, they should hire Okocha and Kanu plus a world class coach, as Super Eagles managers, without a solid plan and good structure, they are not going to achieve anything…”
Yet you blame GR for anything and everything even when the old man is massively improving the SE despite not having this same “solid plan and good structure”….?
Hypocrisy in flesh and blood. LMAO
@drey…. Thank u for your damning reply to him@omo9ja. Was about asking him same question. His hypocrisy and that of others knows no bounds.