Pinnick pleads with Osun government, FA to re-grass Osogbo stadium pitch

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, has decried the poor standard of Osogbo Township Stadium pitch, saying it is not fit for good football. He tasked the state government and football association to upgrade the pitch to an accepted standard.

Speaking during a working visit to Osogbo, however, expressed satisfaction at the Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ileogbo and described the academy as a novel initiative in Sub-Sahara Africa.

“Apart from this (stadium), which we need to talk to the FA and the state government to re-grass because this is not in line with club licensing, the problem is that we are here, we will deal with all these issues,” the football administrator said.

On the academy, he said, “We are excited about it. Anything football development is welcomed by the NFF and what we have seen here is very new; it is not just football, it is sports generally. It is something that is very novel in sub-Saharan Africa and that is why I have to come. Osun State is very peaceful and under a peaceful atmosphere, you have robust development.”

The NFF president also talked about COVID-19 and its effects on football and fans, adding, “fans will be allowed into stadium pretty soon after our next assessment, it will be very soon.

“In the World Cup qualifiers, which will be coming up in another five or six weeks, we have to look into it and we also have to liaise with NCDC.”