AFCON Viewing Centres: At Agege Stadium, Lagos Fans Applaud Sanwo-Olu’s Love For Football

Football fans, who thronged Agege Stadium to watch the last group match of Nigeria’s Super Eagles against Guinea Bissau Wednesday night have one thing in common: they were so happy with the opportunity given to Lagosians by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to watch live matches of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Some of the fans who spoke with P.M EXPRESS were so excited that, though similar viewing centres were opened for Lagos fans by previous government, the touch of different could be seen in what Governor Sanwo-Olu put in place at different centres during his time.

The spacious car park of the Agege Stadium where the viewing centre is located was a beehive of activities with fans, both old and young, having nice time watching Super Eagles beating their Guniea Bissau opponents 2-0 to get maximum 9 points in their group on their way to the Round of 16 stage of AFCON 2021.

While the match was going on, there were lots of side attractions with drinks and merriment courtesy of by Coca Cola bottling company with its products and the Nigeria Breweries Plc which ensured that its assorted drinks were available to liven up the mood of the fans.

“This is quite interesting and awesome. You can see the happiness and the excitement on the faces of the people. This goes on to show that what the Governor has done by setting up these viewing centres across the state is right thing for our youth,” said Mr Dotun Coker, Chairman of the Technical Committee of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), who sat in the company of other football administrators in Lagos at the centre Wednesday night.

“This is a good development and I want to say a very big thank you to Mr Governor for setting up these viewing centres across the state. I strongly believe that the essence of this is to give our youth that sense of belonging that the government is looking after their wellbeing. You can see that everybody is happy watching this live match,” Coker said.

To Mr Dosu David, a leader of football coaches association in Ikeja, the viewing centre is a good way of keeping the youths busy, adding that “as you can see now the youths, even many adults, are gathered here to watch the Super Eagles. They are all united to give their support to the Nigerian team. This is a laudable programme from the Governor and l’m so much glad with it,” he said

Mr Kalu, a worker from Sahara Oil was so happy to see how the fans show love to each other at the viewing centre.

“Irrespective of who you are, you can see how people show the excitement of goals from the Super Eagles. This goes on to show that what the Governor has done is good. It encourages unity among our youths,” Kalu said.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that Governor Sanwo-Olu directed the Lagos State Sports Commission to open 10 viewing centres across the state for Lagosians to watch live matches of AFCON. The centres, it was gathered, will be in place till the end of the Nations Cup next month in Cameroon

The centres are located at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, Abesan playground at Abesan, Ipaja, Ajeromi Central Nursery & Primary School, Ajegunle, Bishop Aggrey Youth Centre, Mushin, Epe Recreation Centre Badagry Grammar School, Badagry, Agege Stadium, Agege, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba and Italewa in Ikorodu.