The Nigeria Football Federation has reiterated that it will continue to use Kaduna as a venue for matches of the National Teams, insisting that the city has always been a good hunting ground and praising the good people of the State for their love for the game.
In his message to the people of Kaduna to come out en masse to support the Super Eagles in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Saturday, NFF President Amaju Pinnick dismissed apprehension in some quarters and dark innuendoes about the city as unwarranted and condemnable.
“Kaduna State has always been a perfect ground for all National Teams, and a city in love with football. We are excited anytime we bring a match of the National Team to Kaduna, because we are always sure of massive support for our team.
“I have wonderful memories of the city of Kaduna, right from when the city hosted the National Sports Festival. The U-17 National Team, U-20 National Team, Super Falcons and Super Eagles have played in Kaduna before, with excellent results and happy memories of total support during their games.”
The NFF President called on the people of Kaduna and environs to throng the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Saturday to back the Super Eagles.
“We are calling on the fans to come out in their thousands as they usually do, and also to come to the stadium wearing green attire.
“We are trying to build a culture of supporting our National Teams in a unique way and we want the fans to key into it.”
It will be recalled that the Super Eagles have beaten Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso in matches played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in the past three-and-half years.
The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai will be personally present at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium as chief host at Saturday’s game.
The delegation of Senior National Team of Chad, which arrived in Nigeria on Thursday night, is already in Kaduna for the game.