The Nigeria Football Federation has been urged to dump the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja for the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, saying it will help the Super Eagles return to their best.
A former First Bank of Lagos goalkeeper, Belock Zuokemefa, who spoke on the Eagles’ poor run, especially at home, said the biggest challenge of the team was that the players play on a home turf that is completely different from what they are used to in Europe.
“In Lagos the state government has upgraded the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan Waterfront). It is a compact arena, but it has one of the best pitches in the country at the moment. The pitch is hybrid synthetic approved by FIFA and CAF for professional games, which our boys would be quite comfortable playing on
It is not 100 per cent rubber artificial turf that is associated with turf-toe injuries and overheating, and that point needs to be emphasised.
We must learn to make use of the very best of whatever we have as a country. If Eagles are taken there in September, we will see Victor Osimhen and co doing for Nigeria what they do for their clubs in Europe,” Zuekemefa said.
The Aisha Buhari tournament was held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in 2021, with coach of eventual winners South Africa Desiree Ellis heaping praises on the pitch and describing it as the best pitch in Nigeria.