ABUJA – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has agreed to send its officials to inspect the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said on Tuesday.
The NFA has touted the new stadium as venue for November’s 2015 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa.
In a statement by NFA’s Assistant Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, the association said CAF had initially raised the issue of the fact that the venue had not yet been inspected.
“CAF had therefore said the venue would not stand a chance of hosting the match.
“However, NFA has assured the continental body of the quality of the facility and the readiness of its owners, the Akwa Ibom State Government, to guarantee safety and security of all persons at the match,’’ it said.
NFA said CAF had on Tuesday agreed to send an official to inspect the venue next week, ahead of the match’s Wednesday, Nov. 19 date.
“The 30,000 capacity facility is one of the most magnificent sporting infrastructure on the African continent. It will be officially commissioned on Thursday, Nov. 6,’’ the statement said.(NAN)