CAF officials inspect Godswill Akpabio Stadium for Africa Football League kick-off

By Wale Mustapha

Top officials from Confederation of African Football, CAF have conducted final inspection of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State ahead of the October date for the inaugural Africa Football League.

Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Normalization Committee, Otuekong Bonny Nyong assisted in guiding the CAF inspection team led by Duccio Ticciati who led a CAF delegation team through the facilities at the 30,000 capacity stadium on Saturday.

Facilities inspected during the four hours tour include, the Main bowl, training Pitch, VVIP and VIP Sections, Control Room, Giant Screens, VAR Room, Sound System, Media Centre, Fans Village, Conference Room, Lighting, Dressing Rooms, Toilets and Entrances among others..

The delegation also inspected three hotels in the state including Four Points by Sheraton Hotels, Ibom Icon Hotels and Monty Suites in Uyo.

The stadium is set to host home matches of the two time CAF Champions and current Nigerian champions, Enyimba International at the competition which was drastically scaled down from the original proposal of 24 to 8 teams.

Enyimba, who are the reigning champions of Nigeria apex league will be joining other top clubs in African including the 2023 CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt, runners-up Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and semi-finalists Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Esperance of Tunisia.

The 11-time CAF title winners TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Petro Luanda of Angola and Simba of Tanzania are the other teams included for the competition.

With an initial investment of US$100 million, CAF says the AFL will support the growth of club football, the construction and maintenance of football infrastructure and facilities, training and the retention of football talent in Africa.