FIFA STANDARD RATING: The Ten Most Beautiful Stadium In Nigeria

Stadium is part of the package offered to football consumers. The field, the facilities, the pomp and pageantry as well as the game itself, all combine to give the football fan a satisfying experience. We all know that clubs and their supporters are closely aligned with their stadium, which is the cauldron of powerful memory and community. FIFA is aware of the value a football arena can bring to the game and has set standard that a stadium must be upgraded to before it could host FIFA  tournament.

Now, rating Nigeria stadium based on FIFA set standard – good turf, well structured spectators sitting arrangement, good medical facilities, good crowd control and security system, good media facilities – we’ve found out that some stadium in Nigeria has actually surpassed FIFA. Yes! Nigeria can host FIFA world cup 2018. Let me showcase the top ten stadiums in Nigeria.

1.      $360 million Abuja National Stadium:  Opened in 2000 to host the “All African Games.” Now, it is the home of Nigeria National teams.

Capacity: 60,491 all seater with Presidential suite and viewing area.

Field: Well maintained grass turf with two electronic scoreboard and floodlights

Medical Facility: The stadium has a medical center full equipped and two stand by ambulance

Crowd Control: It has crowd control steel fencing, six exit and equipped with emergency services. It has 4000 capacity public park and 400 VIP car park

Security: Police on guard all day, has a close circuit security cameras (CCTV).

Media Facility: Well equipped with OBS media center and Language translator commentary box.

2.       

Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu: Opened 1959 and previously owned by Nigeria Railway Corporation, but upgraded in 1986. The stadium has host FIFA U20 world championship 1999. Now, It is home of Rangers International FC

Capacity: 22, 000 people with a VIP viewing area

Field:  Artificial Turf with video matrix scoreboard and floodlights.

Medical Facility:

Crowd Control:  It has eight exits and spectators could all disperse under 30 minutes

Security: It has private security outfit on guard all the time and CCTV

Media Facility:  Well equipped OBS media center

3.      Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan:  Opened 1960 and formerly called Liberty stadium, but renamed in 2010 by President Good luck Jonathan. The stadium host FIFA world Youth Championship 1999. Sometimes, Shooting Stars FC (3SC) play their game in the stadium, but are more at home in Adamasingba stadium.

Capacity: 35, 000 people with VIP viewing area

Field: Well maintained grass turf and a digital scoreboard

Medical Facility: It has medical clinic and two Ambulance on standby

Crowd Control: The stadium has six exits and 7000 capacity Public park

Security: Police are on guard always

Media Facility:  FIFA grade Media center and equipment.

4.       

 Enyimba International Stadium Aba:  Opened 1992, formerly called Aba township stadium, but was renamed in 2002 as an honor to the club when they won CAF champions League in 2002. The stadium has hosted CAF Champion league finals.

Capacity: 25, 000 people with VIP viewing area.

Field: Well maintained grass turf, an electronic scoreboard and floodlights

Medical Facility: The stadium has a standby medical personnel trained for emergencies and two ambulances.

Crowd Control: It has six exits and 1, 500 capacity car park.

Security:  Police are always on guard with metal detector devices.

Media Facility:  A good media center.

5.    

  Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt: Opened 2001. Has hosted FIFA U17 world tournament 2009 and CAF champions League 2010. Now home of Dolphin FC

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Capacity: 25, 000 all seater and a VIP viewing area.

Field: Well maintained grass turf, electronic scoreboard and floodlights

Medical Facility: It has two Ambulances and a medical clinic

Crowd Control: The stadium has six exits leading straight to the major roads.

Security: It has a steel perimeter fencing and CCTV.

Media Facility: Good media center.

6.       

N1.3 Billion Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos:  Opened 2007 and named after the famous professional footballer from Lagos “Thunder Balogun.” The stadium has hosted FIFA U17 World tournament 2009 and FA cup finals 2011. Now home of First Bank FC.

 Capacity: 24, 325 with FIFA grade seats (All Seater).

Field: Artificial turf with digital scoreboard

Medical Facility: Has a medical clinic and two ambulances on standby

Crowd Control:  It has four exits that lead to the major road

Security:  It has CCTV cameras and private security working with Police.

Media Facility: Very good OBS equipment and media center.

7.       

UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar:  Opened 1977 as a 25, 000 capacity stadium, but was in 1999 reduced to 18, 000 capacity to meet FIFA standard. It has hosted FIFA graded games more than any stadium in Nigeria. Now home of Calabar Rovers FC.

 Field: Well maintained grass turf with ultra modern video matrix scoreboard and floodlights.

Medical Facility:

Crowd Control: Has four exits and steel perimeter fencing.

Security:

Media Facility: It has ultra modern OBS media center.

8.       

San Abacha Stadium, Kano: Opened 1982 and has hosted FIFA U17 World tournament 2009. Now home of Kano Pillars FC.

 Capacity:  18, 000 people (All seater) with VIP viewing area

Field: Well maintained grass turf with digital scoreboard

Medical Facility:  it has two ambulances and a close by medical center

Crowd Control: It has four major exit and steel fencing

Security:  Police on guard during match

Media Facility:  It has OBS media center.

9.   

  Abubarka Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi:  Opened 1985 and has hosted FIFA U17 World Tournament 2009. Now home of Wiki Tourist FC.

 Capacity:  15, 000 people with a VIP viewing area.

Field: Well maintained grass turf with electronic scoreboard and floodlights

Medical Facility:  It has medical center and two Ambulances

Crowd Control: It has six major exits that lead to the major road

Security: Police on guard during match

Media Facility:  It has OBS media center.

10

.  Former National Stadium Surulere, Lagos:  Opened 1972 and rebuilt 1999, but was later closed down in 2004. In spite of it’s dilapidation, the stadium remain one great edifice that canmeet FIFA standard with just a little renovations. Now home to Hoodlums and squatters.

Capacity:  55, 000 people with VIP viewing area.

Field: Grass turf, not maintained now

Medical Facility: Not working now

Crowd Control:  -

Security:  -

Media Facility: It has well equipped OBS media center (Not in use now).