The President of the Nigeria Football Federation,
Amaju Pinnick, has lauded the world football governing body, FIFA, for approving the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba for international football matches.
Pinnick made this statement on Sunday, at the Asaba International Airport, where the Super Eagles were received by Delta’s Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, following their ticket clinching victory against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The NFF boss said, it was a big deal for the Super Eagles to travel from the Asaba International airport for their AFCON qualification game, and back, for their friendly against Uganda on Tuesday November 20, 2019.
“We have qualified for AFCON and we are going to Cameroon to make great impact.On behalf of the NFF, I thank the governor and the good people of Delta for their show of enthusiasm since the Super Eagles came here.
“That stadium (the Stephen Keshi Stadium) is wonderful and the Super Eagles will beat Uganda in their friendly match, even as we know that the Ugandan team has also qualified for AFCON. I am therefore excited that FIFA has approved the Stephen Keshi Stadium for international football matches.”
— Pinnick (Vangaurd NG)
Chief of Staff, Tam Brisibe, who represented the governor, said the Super Eagles’ flight from Johannesburg into Asaba, was the first international flight into the airport. He went on to state that it is a thing of joy to the state and its people that the Eagles not only left for their game from Asaba, but also trained at the Stephen Keshi stadium.
“It is more gratifying to note that the Super Eagles trained at the Stephen Keshi Stadium before leaving for South Africa through the Asaba Airport. They went to South Africa and qualified for Cameroon 2019.The principal thing was qualifying for Cameroon and by God’s grace, we have qualified for AFCON. We congratulate the Super Eagles for making Nigeria proud.”
— Brisibe
The airport’s Special Project Director, Austin Ayomedejor, said the airport has been upgraded to a Category C airport, which means it can now accommodate bigger planes.
“What is important is that we have been upgraded to a Category C airport, which allows bigger planes to land.”
— Ayomedejor
