AFCON Qualifiers: Eagles return to Lagos thrill fans

Lagos-based football fans are excited by the return of the Super Eagles to the Teslim Balogun Stadium at Surulere, ahead of Tuesday’s 2021 Africa Nation’s Cup (AFCON) qualify game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

The Confederation of Africa football (CAF) had given the nod that 8, 000 fans should be allowed into the Stadium with a sitting capacity of 21,000 for the game in adherence to Covid-19 protocols.

The last time the Super Eagles played a competitive match in Lagos was 2001 when Nigeria defeated the Zambia 2-1 in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and followed it up with another 2-1 victory in a friendly encounter against Sierra Leone at the Teslim Balogun stadium.

Speaking ahead of the game, a football fan, Fego Agarry said; “I’m so excited that I will see the Super Eagles play in Lagos again. We have missed the team in Lagos and we look forward to seeing more of their games being brought back to the Centre of Excellence.”

Another fan, Odunayo Popoola, promised to be one those that would be at the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

“I would do my best to ensure that I watch the Nigeria match against Lesotho On Tuesday, I can’t wait to see the game live,” Popoola said.

Also an upcoming footballer, Uwakwe Munachi, said he wants more of Eagles’ matches in Lagos State.

“We are happy that the national team is back in Lagos, but this should not be a one-off thing. We want to see them regularly in Lagos,” he said.

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere