The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially approved the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as the host venue for the upcoming U-17 West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B Championship.
The confirmation follows a detailed inspection conducted on Monday by a CAF delegation, which assessed the stadium’s compliance with key requirements including pitch quality, seating capacity, safety measures, infrastructure, and auxiliary services.
The delegation was led by WAFU Executive Director Philip Chare, who was joined by Ganiyu Majekodunmi, chairman of the Ogun State Football Association and board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Both officials praised the stadium’s modern features, such as upgraded locker rooms, advanced security systems, medical and media zones, and floodlights suitable for international television broadcasts. They described the facility as well-positioned to host top-tier continental competitions.
Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, hailed the CAF approval as a significant milestone for the state, noting it as a strong endorsement of its investment in sports infrastructure.
“This validation by CAF confirms that Ogun State’s investment in sports development is bearing fruit,” Isiaka said. “After hosting the National Sports Festival, we’ve welcomed international friendlies, and in the next two weeks, we’ll host the African U-18 and U-20 Athletics Championships.”
“Now, with the U-17 WAFU B tournament coming, it shows that our objectives are being achieved.”
He also emphasized the broader impact of the approval:
“This is not just a win for Ogun State, but for Nigeria as a whole. The CAF endorsement puts the country back on the continental map in terms of sports infrastructure and demonstrates our commitment to meeting international standards.”
The upcoming U-17 WAFU Zone B Championship will feature top youth teams from across West Africa and serves as a qualifier for the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. With Abeokuta now confirmed as the host city, preparations are expected to intensify ahead of the tournament kickoff.
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