Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in Lagos
Nigeria/Liberia WCQ: Lagos shuts all roads into Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere
Despite restricting the highly-anticipated FIFA 2022 World Cup Africa Qualifying (WCQ) match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Lone Star of Liberia to an invite only game with no tickets to be sold, the Lagos Government has further announced closure of all roads leading to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, venue of the encounter.
It would be recalled that the state government had, earlier on Thursday, announced that the World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Liberia will be for invitees only, as there will be no tickets sold for the encounter billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Friday.
No reasons were given for the decision not to throw open the stadium for all spectators, but a statement released by the state government, Monday, said the September 3 match will be an invitation only game.
“No match tickets will be sold for Nigeria vs Liberia match at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. Only Invite,” the state government said.
In addition, the state government, Thursday, has now announced plans to close major roads leading to the stadium in Surulere, as from 12pm, ahead of the expected match kick-off time of 5pm.
In a statement titled; ‘Travel advisory for traffic advisory around Surulere for tomorrow’s football match,’ released, Thursday, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said a temporary closure from Barracks Busstop to the Stadium Bridge via Alaka service lanes will be effected on Friday.
Oladeinde also said access from Kilo, Masha through Shitta Bridge in Surulere will also be shut.
”There would be a temporary closure of roads at Service lane from barracks by the tip of stadium bridge, Alaka service lane to connect the stadium,” he said.
Though the match is scheduled to start at 5.00 pm on Friday, the state government said it would begin diverting traffic inwards and outward of the stadium as from 12.00 pm.
”Vehicles would be barred from accessing Surulere from Teslim axis from 12:00 noon, including the Service lane inbound the National Stadium from Alaka and Teslim Balogun Stadium from Ojuelegba,” the commissioner said.
Oladeinde advised that motorists heading towards Costain, Lagos Island from Masha/Kilo and Surulere to use Adeniran Ogunsanya or Bode Thomas to link Iponri or Eric Moore to access their destinations or use Adelabu to connect Babs Animashaun/Eric Moore axis to link Brewery and access Costain or Eko Bridge.
“In the same vein, motorists can use the aforementioned route to access Surulere from Lagos Island. Vehicle owners heading towards Ikorodu Road from Surulere are also advised to make use of Akerele to link Ogunlana Drive inwards Itire road and connect Ojuelegba to their destination”, the commissioner averred.
He assured that personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), alongside security agencies would be on ground to ensure that traffic flow is seamless.
