NFF keeps Super Eagles in Uyo as Lagos stadium awaits approval

The Nigeria Football Federation will keep Uyo as the Super Eagles’ home venue for now, despite considering a return to Lagos for future fixtures.

A senior federation official told Football In Nigeria that Lagos was being assessed, but the NFF was not yet ready to switch venues. The comments, reported on 16 October, came after Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in an AFCON 2027 qualifier.

Nigeria have three points from their opening two Group L matches, while Guinea-Bissau lead the section with six points, according to the outlet.

The official was not named. Soccernet had previously reported that Nigeria could play their November qualifiers in Lagos.

The renovated Teslim Balogun Stadium is the potential venue, but it has not yet been cleared to stage an international match. NFF inspectors are expected to assess the ground after the Lagos State Government completes the renovation work.

The federation is also considering using the stadium for friendly matches before committing to competitive fixtures. Those games would allow officials to test the facilities and assess the response from supporters, while the players would also be consulted before a final decision is made.

The NFF official warned that moving away from an established home venue could affect the team’s performances. The Super Eagles have played most of their home matches in Uyo for nearly a decade.

Timing could decide next venue

The federation’s position means the main issue is likely to be whether Lagos can meet the necessary requirements in time, rather than simply whether there is a desire to change venues.

A stadium that has not been inspected and approved cannot host an AFCON qualifier. With less than a month remaining before Nigeria’s November double-header against Tanzania, there is limited time for the necessary inspections and approvals to be completed if Lagos is selected.

Should Teslim Balogun Stadium fail to receive clearance before the next home match, Uyo would remain the only practical option. Even if the Lagos venue is approved, the NFF’s intention to test it during a friendly suggests that a competitive fixture could follow at a later stage rather than immediately.

CAF had still not confirmed the exact dates or venues for the two matches against Tanzania, and differing reports had been published about them. For that reason, those details have not been included.

The Tanzania fixtures are expected to be important in the race for qualification for AFCON 2027. The next significant announcement will be the NFF’s confirmation of the squad and venue after CAF finalises the schedule.