Lagos Wants Super Eagles Back

BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.

As Nigerians still feel the pains of a home loss to South Africa in the race to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, opinions are being shaped on the future of the Super Eagles in the next assignments.
A somewhat crisis situation analysis meeting is scheduled to hold on Tuesday as the Nigerian sports minister, Solomon Dalung, meet with the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Before then, another meeting of the NFF Technical Committee will also hold with the technical adviser, Gernot Rohr in attendance.
Meanwhile, an official of the Lagos State Government, Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye who is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on sports told Sports Village Square that the NFF should consider returning the national team to its city of birth, Lagos.
He re-echoed the voice of Governor Ambode who had earlier in year while inspecting the derelict Lagos National Stadium called for the return of the Super Eagles to Lagos and that his government was ready to acquire and repair the fast degenerating Federal Government facility.
Adeboye explained to Sports Village Square that a good team should be able to win anywhere, especially within its national borders, but conscious efforts should also be made to maximise home advantage.
To him, Lagos offers that maximum advantage to the Super Eagles, considering the large football followership that the city commands and the enthusiasm shown when supporting teams.
“I realise Lagos fans are all willing to see Super Eagles play in the city state. In those days, no major team challenged the Super Eagles at home and go scot free not to talk of minors. Lagos remains the slaughter slab of visiting teams”, remarked Adeboye.
“We have good soccer pitch here at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and I am confident the Surulere National stadium will soon be in right order to host the giants of African football like it used to be in those days.”
Lagos last hosted the full strength Super Eagles on January 13, 2001 when the team beat Zambia 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The other matches played in April 2004 were in the experimental LG Cup tournament in which Nigeria and the other participating team, Jordan and Senegal fielded second-string sides.