The all-important AFCON 2019 qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their Libyan counterparts have been moved from the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna to Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The game, which is the first of two instalments between Nigeria and Libya in four days was earlier billed to hold in Kaduna on October 12 after the Uyo Stadium pitch got severely damaged after a political rally was held inside the mainbowl last month.
Uncommon Transformation 😊
Here is the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
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1. As at August 31, 2018 after a political rally inside the mainbowl
2. As at September 25, 2018.
Now set to host Nigeria vs Libya on October 12.
Kudos to the managers of the Stadium. 🙆 pic.twitter.com/mbN0fVTniM
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) September 25, 2018
It emerged over the last weekend that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are considering a move back to Uyo which was Nigeria’s successful home ground on their way to World Cup qualification in 2017 with doubts raised over the stadium in Kaduna.
Super Eagles Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye told www.aclsports.com on Tuesday that Uyo is now “ahead of Kaduna in the race to host the game as the Ahmadu Bello Stadium may not be ready to stage the game”. Ibitoye would rather prefer not to confirm until an official press statement is released but his admittance of Uyo’s pole position is a tacit confirmation of the open secret.
Also read: Gernot Rohr tasks NFF on good pitch against Libya
The date and time of the encounter will remain the same; Friday, October 12, 2018 at 5:30pm with Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo expected to be in charge of the Group E clash.
The second game between both sides will hold in Tunisia on Monday, October 15.
