Sports

We Will Not Allow Stadia To Collapse – Dangote

Published

5 years ago

February 3, 2022

The Gleamer

…Visits revamp Moshood Abiola Stadium

… CAF approves stadium for Super Eagles, Black Star play-off

By Joel Ajayi

Africa’s richest Aliko Dangote visited the newly renovated Moshood Abiola Stadium pitch, adopted by group under the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare’s Adopt-a-Pitch initiative and said that he will do everything possible to ensure Nigeria stadia did not suffer collapse

Dangote, whose company, Dangote Industries Group sponsored the rehabilitation of the pitch, expressed satisfaction with the job done, as he was conducted round the pitch with the sprinklers working perfectly, and the two digital score-boards beaming live.

While speaking, Dangote assured more support for sport growth in the country.

According to him, you can be rest assured of our continuous support.

“You can always knock on our doors. We shouldn’t allow our Stadia to collapse. Nigerians have a very strong love for sports, so I think we need to complement Government’s efforts to ensure that everything works”, he assured

In his remark the elated Minister of Sport Sunday Dare expressed appreciation to Dangote for accepting to adopt the Moshood Abiola Stadium, stating that he was the first to embrace the Ministry’s Adopt-a-Pitch initiative.

“I want to thank you for investing in the development of our Sports and the fruit of that partnership has blossomed into what we see here today. I would like to inform you that we have just received CAF certification of this Stadium for international matches, which means that the World Cup qualifiers will be played here. This wouldn’t have been possible without your support”.

The refurbished Moshood Abiola Stadium is complete with nursery beds, two digital scoreboards, 24 Sprinklers and two-year maintenance, as part of the contract sponsored by Dangote Industries under the Adopt-a-Pitch Public Private Partnership initiative of the Ministry. Daura Stadium Katsina has also been completed, while National Stadium Lagos amongst others have been adopted, and are at different stages of completion.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Africa Football ,CAF, has finally approved Abuja’s Moshood Abiola National stadium for the return leg World Cup qualifier play-off between Super Eagles and Black Stars of Ghana.

Special Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports development minister Toyin Ibitoye revealed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

Ibitoye also said both Super Falcons Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifier and Falconets World Cup qualifier would be played on the same pitch which was recently renovated under the Public-Private Partnership initiative.

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

5 mins ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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