The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is weighing its options over where the Super Eagles should play their upcoming home matches as preparations for the next qualifying fixtures gather pace.
The possibility of a change in venue has attracted attention following reports that the newly renovated Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos could become an alternative to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The discussions come after Nigeria’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau, which has increased pressure on the team to improve its performances in the qualifying campaign.
Uyo has become a familiar home for the Super Eagles over the past decade. Nigeria played their first match at the stadium against South Africa on November 19, 2014, drawing 2-2 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
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Although the national team have also played competitive fixtures in Lagos and Abuja, Uyo has remained an established venue for their home matches.
However, the prospect of returning to Lagos has raised questions about whether the NFF is ready to abandon a ground where the players have built years of familiarity.
According to The Guardian, the federation has played down reports of an imminent relocation, insisting that Uyo remains the preferred venue for now.
An NFF official, who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity, said the federation was in no hurry to move the team away from Uyo, warning that a sudden change could prove counterproductive.
“Lagos is under consideration, but Uyo remains the venue for our games,” the official told The Guardian.
“Before we take any match to Teslim Balogun Stadium, we must first of all sound out the players and know how they feel about that.”
Nigeria are considering hosting the first leg of their upcoming double-header in Uyo on November 11, with the return fixture tentatively scheduled for November 15 in Zanzibar.
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However, the final decision will depend on several factors, including the readiness of Teslim Balogun Stadium, the players’ views and an assessment by NFF inspectors.
The official also suggested that the federation could arrange friendly matches in Lagos to evaluate the atmosphere and other logistical considerations before committing to hosting a competitive fixture there.
“The players have been playing in Uyo for up to a decade, and it would be unwise for us to move them to Lagos just like that,” the source said.
“Besides, Teslim Balogun Stadium is not yet ready to host any game. When Lagos State completes the work on the stadium, our inspectors will go to see it and advise the NFF on what to do.”
Meanwhile, the NFF and head coach Eric Chelle’s technical crew have begun monitoring players who could be considered for the upcoming fixtures.
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The timing of the players’ arrival in camp will depend on the dates approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the applicable FIFA international window.
The federation also plans to announce the squad after confirming the fixture dates and assessing player availability.
“We will release the names of players for the back-to-back matches five days after learning of the date and also depending on the availability of players,” the official said.
For now, Uyo remains Nigeria’s preferred venue for their next home fixture. A return to Lagos will depend on the completion and inspection of Teslim Balogun Stadium, as well as consultations with the players and other relevant considerations.
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