Super Eagles Praise Turf Of Moshood Abiola National Stadium

The Super Eagles on Tuesday rhapsodized about the new, improved turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as they intensified preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Three–time African champions Nigeria and four–time African champions Ghana clash for one of Africa’s slots at the 22^nd FIFA World Cup finals, with Ghana hosting the first leg in Kumasi on Friday and Nigeria hosting the fierce arch-rivals in Abuja on Tuesday next week.

At their first training session ahead of the two big games, captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defender Abdullahi Shehu and forwards Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen expressed delight with the turn-around of the turf and admitted it enabled the team to roll the ball the way they wanted.

Musa told thenff.com: “The turf is looking and feeling really nice and wonderful. I want to thank the Honourable Minister and the Ministry officials for a job well.”

“This turf is excellent; it is among the best that I have seen anywhere,” defender Abdullahi Shehu said after Tuesday night’s training session under floodlights. “We are pleased with what we are seeing and it is a positive development.”

On his part, forward Odion Ighalo said: “Ah, I am excited with the feel of the turf. There is nothing to complain about,” while Ekong added: “This is really nice. The turf feels good and we are happy that our request for the turf to be put in great shape was heeded by the Sports Ministry.”

Forward Victor Osimhen also commended the playing pitch. “I love it. It is really nice and it allows the ball to roll very well.”

During a hybrid meeting (physical and virtual) with the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare and top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation last month, the players had specifically requested that the turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium be put in great shape for the World Cup playoff tango with the Black Stars.

There and then, the Sports Minister set machinery to work and the result is an excellent playing turf that is the pride of all today.

Nigeria host Ghana in what is the final leg of a playoff to determine one of Africa’s tickets to the 22^nd FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, holding 14^th November – 18^th December this year.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has reiterated that the nation’s football –ruling body is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the Super Eagles overcome Ghana’s Black Stars in this month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture.

“I want to assure that the NFF is putting all arrangements in place to motivate and incentivize the players and officials for the two big matches. We have concluded most of the arrangements and expect no glitch anywhere. We are also ready to deal with eventualities as they arise because these are matches that we must win.

“The NFF is very much alive to its responsibilities and will put everything in place to inspire the Super Eagles to triumph,” said Sanusi, who watched the team’s training session under floodlights at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday night.

Thenff.com can confirm that, as has been the tradition of the NFF for more than a decade now, the Super Eagles’ contingent will fly into Kumasi on Thursday morning aboard a chartered flight, and return with the same aircraft immediately after the match.

Officials have also confirmed that the Eagles’ players and officials will be staying at the Golden Tulip, the best hotel facility in Kumasi, for the match.