George Aluo
Football authorities in Enugu state may go to war with the League Management Company (LMC) over the decision to banish Rangers after Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu was listed as one of the venues that is not good enough to host league matches.
It would be noted that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and Kano Pillars Sanni Abacha Stadium home top the list of stadia across the country that have failed LMC’s test ahead of the new soccer season.
The LMC last week okayed only 13 stadia for the NPFL 2020/21 season.
The 13 approved grounds include Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba and Okigwe Township Stadium.
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Others that met the requirements are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Gombe Township Stadium, Pantami, Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina and Ilorin Township Stadium.
A top Enugu FA official who said they were taken aback by the decision of LMC wondered how the league body arrived at the decision.
“No body from LMC came to Enugu for stadium inspection. So, how did they arrive at the decision to say the Cathedral (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium) is not good enough. We are going to challenge that decision,” he said.
The LMC while ruling out Enugu for matches listed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as one of the venues that must be upgraded. Other venues on the list are Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, Agege Stadium, Akure Township Stadium, Warri Township Stadium, New Jos Township Stadium.
The rest are Lafia Township Stadium, IfeanyiUbah Stadium, Nnewi and Fufure Stadium, Yola which will be inspected for certification after construction work has been completed.
