Nigeria’s Super Eagles could play their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Tanzania at the renovated Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
The proposed venue is being considered for the Matchday Three fixture, according to reports by BSN Sports cited by sports news outlets.
However, the move is subject to approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which must certify the stadium for international matches.
The Lagos-owned stadium recently underwent renovation ahead of the National Intermediate Games.
Its artificial turf has been replaced with natural grass as part of efforts to improve the facility.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has expressed confidence in the new playing surface.
“It is heartwarming for me to see the pitch of Teslim Balogun Stadium in this beautiful manner,” Adepoju said in September.
He added that the pitch “can host the Super Eagles and any Grade A football match in the world.”
The stadium’s renovation has raised hopes of bringing the national team back to Lagos, which has not regularly hosted the Super Eagles’ home matches in recent years.
The team has played its recent home games at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Other Nigerian venues approved by CAF include the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne and the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
Nigeria began its AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in September but suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in its next match.
The Super Eagles are in Group L alongside Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, will automatically qualify for the finals.
A return to Lagos would give supporters in the commercial capital an opportunity to watch the national team at home, if CAF approves the venue.
Comments
Add a comment