Super Eagles eye return to Port-Harcourt

Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation have hinted Super Eagles crunch World Cup qualifi er against Cameroon in August may be moved from the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo to probably near-by Port –Harcourt because the magnifi cent arena is “cursed”. Th e offi cials informed that there is a lingering dispute on the land, which the stadium stands on. Th e rightful owners of the land were not compensated and so traditional sacrifi ces have had to be performed before any Eagles game. Also, German construction company Julius Berger who built the stadium nicknamed ‘Th e Nest of Champions’ is still owed several billions of Naira. Nigeria beat Algeria 3-1 at the same venue in November, but offi cials said this was only possible because of the sacrifi ces performed to appease the angry gods of that land. Interestingly, Nigeria had to fi ght back to draw South Africa 2-2 at the same venue in 2014, just weeks after it was opened with a lot of fanfare. Th e result eliminated the Super Eagles from AFCON 2015 in Equatorial Guinea. Offi cials are now contemplating moving the qualifi er against Cameroon on August 27 to neighbouring Port Harcourt, which is three hours by road from Uyo. Port Harcourt was the proud host when Nigeria qualifi ed for the 2002 World Cup at the expense of a determined Liberia led by the legendary George ‘Opong’ Weah.