AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: NFF allays fears over Kaduna venue, drums support for Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation has said it will continue to use Kaduna as the venue for matches of national teams, insisting that the city has always been a good hunting ground and praising the people of the state for their love for the game.

In his message to the people of Kaduna to come out enmasse to support the Super Eagles in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Saturday, the NFF President Amaju Pinnick dismissed apprehension in some quarters and innuendoes about the city as unwarranted and despicable.

“Kaduna State has always been a perfect ground for all National Teams, and a city in love with football. We are excited anytime we bring a match of the National Team to Kaduna, because we are always sure of massive support for our team.

“I have wonderful memories of the city of Kaduna, right from when the city hosted the National Sports Festival. The U-17 National Team, U-20 National Team, Super Falcons and Super Eagles have played in Kaduna before, with excellent results and happy memories of total support during their games.”

The NFF President called on the people of Kaduna and environs to throng the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Saturday to back the Super Eagles.

“We are calling on the fans to come out in their thousands as they usually do, and also to come to the stadium wearing green attire.

“We are trying to build a culture of supporting our national teams in a unique way and we want the fans to key into it.”

It will be recalled that the Super Falcons have beaten Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso in matches played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium within the last three-and-half years.

The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, will be personally present at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium as chief host at Saturday’s game.

Premium Times