By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Ahead of Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo on Sunday, the Akwa Ibom State Government has declared its readiness to provide all logistics support to ensure victory for the home side.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Dr. Bassey Okon, stated this while interacting with pressmen at the end of a 2-day state Organising Committee meeting presided over by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, held on Monday and Tuesday, at the Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium, Uyo.
Okon said, “We’re ready to host the match. All the logistics and facilities have been deployed. We are big on maintenance. At the moment, we are putting finishing touches to ensure that we have a hitch free match”.
On why the stadium is the only FIFA and CAF approved facility in Nigeria for Super Eagles games, the Commissioner said, ” aside being a 30,000 capacity stadium, it is fitted with very modern and state-of-the-art facilities. It is very secured, well ventilated and it is an architectural masterpiece different from other facilities in the country, which is the reason CAF has chosen it as the preferred venue for super eagles matches”.
Speaking, the executive member, representing South-South region on the board of Nigeria Foodbal Federation (NFF), Otuekong Nse Essien, said Sunday foodball encounter will enhance the image and economic furtunes of the state. He hailed successive administrations in Akwa Ibom for building sporting facilities which have continued to attract international attention.
Also, the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, Elder Paul Bassey, who is also the General Coordinator of the upcoming Nigeria Vs Sao Tome match, said the meeting, which was held at the instance of the State Organising Committee to review logistics applications, security, and the general welfare of both teams.
“It is a thing of pride for us to host this match because in the next one week, global attention and sport media would be shifted to our state, therefore, the state government has promised to support the team. That is why we are here to make sure we deliver on the promises of the state government”. Bassey added.
Beyond the football match between the Super Eagles and Sao Tome coming on Sunday, economic activities are expected to escalate as a result of the high influx of football enthusiasts into Uyo, to watch the soccer encounter. There will also be the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NFF fixed for the morning before the match, meaning a beehive of brisk business opportunities is building up for transporters and the tourism sector of Akwa Ibom State, come next weekend.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Emmanuel Akpan, in a telephone interview has confirmed arrival of the Super Eagles team in Uyo earlier today, Wednesday’s preparatory to their first training session at the Nest of Champions, today, Wednesday, at 5:00pm.
