Minister Sunday Dare and Businessman, Aliko Dangote during the inspection of the MKO Stadium in Abeokuta, Tuesday
MKO Stadium to host Nigeria/Ghana World Cup Africa Qualifier, in March – Sports Minister
Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare has confirmed that the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) Stadium in Abeokuta will host the Nigeria leg of the football encounter between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana in March, this year.
The match is one of two legs to be played for one of the five ticket for grabs in Africa for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, this June.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Digital and New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi, who made the announcement via his verified Twitter handle (@toluogunlesi), Tuesday, also informed that the playing turf of the stadium has been revamped, in addition to the scoreboard, courtesy of Dr Aliko Dangote.
At the inspection of the stadium, Tuesday, the minister disclosed that Nigeria has received certification for the stadium, clearing the way for it to host the match in match for the first time.
Ogunlesi ‘stweet read: “I’d like to inform you that we have just received @CAF_Online certification of [Moshood Abiola National Stadium] for Int’l matches, which means the World Cup qualifiers next month will be played here.” — @SundayDareSD to @AlikoDangote (sponsored revamp of pitch + scoreboards]”
Nigeria will face Ghana in two legs for the last phase of the Africa qualifying series. There are also other matches that will feature other countries square up for the total five tickets alotted to the continent.
The most anticipated of the being the Senegal versus Egypt encounter to be played in Dakar and Cairo.
The Pharaohs of Egypt and captain Mohammed Salah are plotting a revenge mission on the Teranga Lions of Senegal following a bitter loss of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), last Sunday in Cameroon during the final match decided via penalty shootouts with the West Africans winning 4-2 to lift the trophy for the first time in their history after three attempts.
