Nigeria ’80 Africa Cup of Nations winners Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu and Adokiye Amiesimaka have expressed their disappointment with the deplorable state of the National Stadium, Lagos, urging the Federal Government to rehabilitate the complex.
The stadium, which was built in 1972, has hosted major competitions such as the 1973 Africa Games, the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, the 1999 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations.
The stadium has been abandoned for years, with decaying structures and obsolete sports facilities dotting the complex.
Odegbami insists the state of the stadium is a reflection of Nigeria’s attitude towards public facilities.
“It is a shame to the country,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the former Super Eagles forward as saying during the week.
“I played on that pitch and scored important goals (there). It gave me joy. I was happy playing on it. The feeling alone gives me goose pimples any time I recall my playing days on that pitch.
“I felt elated to play not just because I was a footballer but because I was playing on home soil where the crowd cheered us on.
“I cannot imagine the opposite way we see of it today. It is in a mess, a pitiable situation; it is a shame on the reflection of the country.”
“We can only hope for the right change, the change to restore the stadium back to its glorious days as we enter into a new dispensation,” he added.
Former Nigeria and Enugu Rangers captain Chukwu called for the maintenance of the stadium where he guided the Eagles to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations glory.
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“I am never a happy man anytime I see the extent of the dilapidation of the structures that have been yearning for rehabilitation. It takes me back in time when I recall my playing days on the facility,” the ex-Eagles coach said.
“A stadium we believe brings us good luck each time we play on it. Each time I come out of the tunnel and see the fans chanting my name and those of my teammates, it gave me confidence to go all out.
“I believe I played my best football on that pitch. I am pleading with the Federal Government to give it the deserved attention and restore it to its place of glory to help the growth of sports in the country.”
Ex-Nigeria winger Amiesimaka said, “The stadium is living in its shadows. I never thought it would come to this; the place is just scary place to come to.
“I remember in my time, it was a glorious place to be. I shared many victories on that pitch, notably in 1980 when we won the Nations Cup.
“I am pleading to the National Sports Commission to intervene.”
PUNCH
