CAF Bans Super Eagles From Playing World Cup Qualifiers Play Off In Lagos

Says Pitch Not Good Enough

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos from hosting any games of the senior national team of Nigeria as they head into the world cup qualifiers play off.

Content of a mail made available to Owngoalnigeria.com has it that the continental soccer body isn’t satisfied with the condition of the playing surface and has demanded for an upgrade on the pitch where the Super Eagles played all their home games during the first round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Also, they want the floodlights and other facilities at the stadium to be given a facelift before the stadium can be certified fit enough to host any game organized by the continental football body.

The Super Eagles won’t play the two legged play off slated for March next year at the stadium unless the necessary upgrade is done on the pitch and the other items mentioned.
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Below is an excerpt from the mail.
Pitch conditions in the field of play area is one of the major concerns; Overall pitch condition must be improved, and the surface must be levelled, green and
marked clearly in white; Quality and maintenance of the field of play is a big concern; Markings on the pitch should be symmetric all over the field of play.

The field of play is made up of many grass species and others are just weeds. It also has many small patches; Considering installing a new natural pitch in the stadium.

The Floodlights need improvement. Current intensity is not uniform all over the pitch, which is well below the acceptable measurement. An independent Lux level report was not received or completed by stadium management.