FIFA Stadium facilities expert and Chief Executive officer of Monimichelle Sports Company, Ebi Egbe, says having a stunning facade does not earn CAF stadium approval. 

Egbe, who has constructed several stadium pitches across Nigeria, including the Yakubu Gowon stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, told The Guardian, on Friday, that it is great to have a beautiful stadium facade that enhances a football venue’s appearance and creates a strong first impression.

He stated however, that a stunning facade does not earn CAF stadium approval. 

“The playing pitch remains the most critical element,” he said. “Without a high quality pitch that meets CAF standards, a stadium cannot be approved for elite continental football,” Egbe said. 

According to him, investment in the pitch should always be a top priority.

“A world class playing surface directly influences player safety, match quality, broadcast standards, and ultimately, stadium approval. As it stands, the only pitches in Nigeria with current FIFA/CAF approval status for elite football are the natural grass pitch at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and the hybrid synthetic pitch at Remo Stars Stadium, constructed by Monimichelle Sports using its innovative Dynamic Natural Infill System approved by FIFA for FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro football pitches.

The Remo Stars pitch currently holds a valid FIFA Quality certification from January 13, 2026 to January 12, 2029, reaffirming its compliance with international standards for elite football.”
 
Egbe also said that discharge drainage plays a pivotal role in football pitch construction saying: “That is why, at Monimichelle Sports, we place great emphasis on designing and installing high-performance drainage systems that efficiently remove excess water from the playing surface.

“A properly engineered discharge drainage system prevents waterlogging, protects the pitch structure, promotes healthy turf growth and supports moisture level control on hybrid synthetic pitches, ensures matches can be played safely and consistently even after heavy rainfall.”

“A world-class football pitch is built from the ground up, and effective drainage is the foundation of long lasting performance.”
 
He noted that the main priority for Monimichelle Sports is to build sustainable, high performance football pitches for elite football across Africa.