The Oyo State Government on Wednesday said all arrangements have been concluded in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the successful hosting of the second leg of the U-23 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifying match between Nigeria’s dream team and their Tanzanian counterparts, that will be played this Saturday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mr. Seun Fakorede, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, disclosed this during a news conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press centre on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The country’s U-23 National Team and Tanzania would hold on Saturday at Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan.
Recall the team had drawn 1-1 during the first leg of the match held in Dar es Salam, the capital of Tanzania.
The Lekan Salami Sports Complex was recently renovated and upgraded to international standard by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
Fakorede said that the media engagement is very important due to the Saturday international match, which never happened in the last 30 years.
The Commissioner called on all football-loving citizens to come out en mass to witness the epoch-making event and give the U23 Olympic team overwhelming support to victory.
Fakorede said that part of the government’s effort was to give the iconic Lekan Salami Sports Complex a beautiful facelift after 44 years of neglect and abandonment by preceding administrations.
He said that the newly renovated stadium would also open up new opportunities for the people to generate money and enhance value.
According to him, “We are here this afternoon to witness yet another milestone in the annals of the Gov. Seyi Makinde-led administration in the State.
“This administration thus far has achieved the unprecedented remodelling of the stadium to an enviable World Class International standard.
“We, therefore call on all football-loving citizens to come en mass to witness the epoch-making event and give our darling U23 Olympic team overwhelming and arousing support to victory.”
The commissioner said that the state would on Saturday witness another record-breaking achievement in this administration in the hosting of the U-23 AFCON qualifying match.
He said that such was happening again after almost 30 years of the dearth of international engagements on the soil of Lekan Salami Sports Complex.
Fakorede urged the people to cooperate with the officials, urging them to demonstrate patriotism and understanding before, during and after the match.
He noted such event would enable the state to host more international competitions, soliciting more cooperation and objectivity from journalists in the state.
The commissioner said that the state would also host the second leg of the U-23 team against Costa Rica in November, saying the first leg will hold in the US.
Fakorede said that adequate security had been put in place for a rancour-free match, while accreditation would be handled by the FA in conjunction with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Oba James Odeniran, the State Football Association (FA) Chairman, appreciated the governor for giving them a stadium that could compare with any across the world.
Odeniran also commended the commissioner for creating enabling environment for the CAF delegation which accredited the stadium for international matches.
“We are looking beyond the hosting of this first international match. Our efforts and performance would help sustain further patronage of this stadium.
“The essence of the news conference is to solicit the support of our media houses and the public for the victory of our darling U-23 National team,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman, commended the governor for giving the stadium a facelift which had started attracting international matches to the state.
Babalola, who highlighted the various opportunities and benefits inherent in the facelift, assured them of maximum support from journalists in the state.
