Friday, June 5, 2015
National Stadium, Lagos: A fortress laid to rest
Once an edifice of National Pride, the National stadium Lagos which in the past played home to the country's national team is now a shadow of itself.
BlackBox Nigeria's Sport Bureau Chief, Aziz Mustapha writes on the state of the abandoned facility.
BlackBox Nigeria's Sport Bureau Chief, Aziz Mustapha writes on the state of the abandoned facility.
Many ex-internationals and football administrators alike have been expressing their dissatisfaction for some years now regarding the sorry state of the Legendary National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The Stadium was built and opened in 1972 as a world class 55,000 capacity sport complex, though on renovation in 1999 the capacity was reduced to 45,000.
It is rather unfortunate that the stadium which hosted the 1980 African cup of Nations finals where Nigeria won her first African title after the Green Eagles of Nigeria, led by the firepower of Best Ogedengbe in goal,Christian Chukwu leading the defense line, Late Muda Lawal in midfield and Mathematical Segun Odegbami defeated Algeria in the front of a record crowd of 85,000 football fans.
The National Stadium, Lagos also hosted the 2000 African Cup of Nations where Nigeria lost to Cameroon via a controversial Victor Ikepeba penalty loss. The legendary ground have also hosted a lot of international games and World cup qualifying matches.
It is rather unfortunate that the stadium which hosted the 1980 African cup of Nations finals where Nigeria won her first African title after the Green Eagles of Nigeria, led by the firepower of Best Ogedengbe in goal,Christian Chukwu leading the defense line, Late Muda Lawal in midfield and Mathematical Segun Odegbami defeated Algeria in the front of a record crowd of 85,000 football fans.
The National Stadium, Lagos also hosted the 2000 African Cup of Nations where Nigeria lost to Cameroon via a controversial Victor Ikepeba penalty loss. The legendary ground have also hosted a lot of international games and World cup qualifying matches.
Some school of thought believe that the construction of the Multi-millon dollars Abuja National Stadium led to the neglect of the National Stadium, Lagos. Others believe that the National Stadium should be Located in the Nation's capital and Abuja had to enjoy the privileges that were accrued to Lagos.
Exploring my personal life, one will understand why I feel so much pain in my heart whenever I take a stroll around the former fortress of the super Eagles. As a kid nothing gave me more joy than the jubilant chants oozing from the main bowl of the National Stadium.
Exploring my personal life, one will understand why I feel so much pain in my heart whenever I take a stroll around the former fortress of the super Eagles. As a kid nothing gave me more joy than the jubilant chants oozing from the main bowl of the National Stadium.
Fortunately, I could see the fog lights of the Stadium from my house so my day was always complete. The National Stadium has of now is in a state of anomie and needs serious intervention from all stake holders who has the interest of Nigeria Football at heart.
On a final note, I personally don't subscribe to the two schools of thoughts aforesaid, for me the Federal government neglected the Stadium just to settle political scores with Lagos and I hope the new "pro-lagos" government will revisit this historical tragedy. I believe that with the consciousness of Sports loving Nigerian youths, should the government decide to return the eagle to its nest in Lagos and expand the ground, the record 85,000 crowd of 1980 is going to look like child's play.
-Aziz Mustapha
@blackboxupdate
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