By KATE OBODO
Having  watched Super Eagles friendly match against the  Leone Stars of Sierra Leone last Wednesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okaro (rtd) says he was  not  happy as  Lagos fans booed the team despite the fact that the Eagles were winning.

Super Eagles players during training. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

As a result therefore, he has urged the Nigeria Football Association, NFA to allow the players  return to Abuja for the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia next month.

Stressing the need for Eagles’ return to the Abuja National stadium, Okaro  said  it will help them concentrate  on their game against Ethiopia and save them from the  booing Lagos fans.

He added that it will  give them the opportunity to make use of the  natural grass which he said is preferable to the artificial turf of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos which the players complained about.

“I must congratulate Samson Siasia and his entire crew members having soared to a deserved  2-1 victory. It is a match worth celebrating.  I must also appreciate his brilliant idea of introducing our home boys. They did not disappoint us, they outshined our old boys, it shows that they are the future of our football,” he said.

On the tie against Ethiopia,  Okaro said it not going to be an easy ride, saying the Ethiopians are a stronger side.
“You cannot use the Sierra Leone match to compare the Ethiopia game. It is not going to be an easy ride. What I will advise is for them to be well prepared,” Okaro stressed.

Meanwhile officials of the NFA have told kickoffnigeria.com that Kaduna will host the tie between Ethiopia tie.

The game on March 27 was originally scheduled to hold in Lagos, with Wednesday’s friendly against Sierra Leone seen as a dress rehearsal for the qualifier, but a series of hiccups and players’ complaints about the artificial turf has forced a change in thinking.

“The game will be played in Kaduna,” NFF Executive Committee member Christopher Green said.

“The executive committee will meet to ratify the decision but Lagos is definitely out.”
It will be the first time the Super Eagles return up north, after the unhappy memories of playing Angola in a 2006 World Cup qualifier in Kano which they drew 1-1.