Olympic Qualifier: NFF Happy With PH, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium

Dream Team VI’s Godwin Saviour (13) meandering past Congo players Sunday at the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed happiness with the government and people of Rivers State and the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium over the successful hosting of the first leg of the 2016 Olympic qualifier between Nigeria’s U-23 team, Dream Team VI and their Congolese counterparts on Sunday.
It was the first time the Adokiye Amiesimake Stadium would host an international match and it recorded a record spectatorship in the state.
Speaking to Tidesports moments after the match, a board member of the NFF, Barrister Christopher Green said that the organisation of the match was impeccable and fans’ turn out very impressive to the extent that the federation can only think of bringing more matches to the venue.
According to him, “the Super Eagles will come, other national teams would come to play. We really need to turn the facility here to a real nest of champions”.
He described the ambience at the stadium as magnificent, noting that the peaceful conduct of the spectators and support for the national team was second to none.
“I think, it was like a carnival, if somebody had told some people that this kind of crowd could be pulled to the stadium, nobody would have believed it. It is a 40,000 Seater capacity and it was filled to the rafters. What else can one say but kudos and congratulations to the government and good people of Rivers State. And it is heartwarning that  we started on a winning note”, he said.
On the match itself, Barrister Green said that the Dream Team gave a good account of themselves but rued the poor marksmanship that robbed Nigeria of several goals. He believes that Nigeria is still in the game and that Congo would not be invincible at home in the return leg.
“We’re not out of the competition, it’s however, not going to be easy. We plan to go to Congo and win, our boys are good ball boys, they have the energy and don’t have any fears, they are going to do well”.