January 26, (THEWILL) – Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Chris Green, has alleged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is responsible for the rejection of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, as a venue for group stage matches of Rivers United in the CAF Confederation Cup.
According to Green, NFF officials were supposed to inspect the stadium but failed to do so, resulting in the facility being deemed unsuitable by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). As a result, Rivers United will now play their home matches at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium had previously been used by Rivers United for preliminary games, and the club had shared updates about upgrades made to the facility. However, these upgrades were not enough to meet CAF’s requirements, and the club was forced to find an alternative venue. The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, which hosted last season’s CAF Confederation Cup final, was ultimately chosen as the new home for Rivers United.
The situation has sparked controversy, with Green publicly blaming the NFF for the rejection of the Port Harcourt stadium. So far, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, has declined to comment on the issue, preferring to state only that the NFF had done its job.
Rivers United will begin their campaign on February 12 against ASEC Mimosas away from home, with the first home game scheduled for February 19 against the same opponents in Uyo.
