Nigeria football fans who are ready to watch their loving Super Eagles game in Asaba, Delta state have been hit with a latest development concerning both upcoming games in Delta. According to reports in NAN, Prices of tickets for Super Eagles matches slated for the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Friday and Tuesday have been increased, the Delta Government announced on Wednesday.
The Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, who announced this at a news conference in Asaba, said the new rates were introduced to enhance crowd management. He said the crowd of football fans who thronged the stadium to watch matches was always huge and there was a need to effectively control the situation.
“The Stephen Keshi Stadium will now have new gate fees. The VIP box is now N10,000 with lots of refreshment and entertainment for ticket-holders. “The covered stand will now go for N3,000, while the popular stand still remains N1,000,” Ukah said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before the new rates, the VIP stand was usually free for those who were allowed in with invitation cards. These were usually the State Governor and his entourage, as well as other dignitaries as may be determined by the match hosts. The covered stand used to go for N2,000.00.
John Ogu and Henry Onyekuru led the remainder of the 23-man Nigeria selection ahead of Friday's 2019 African Cup of Nations Group E qualifier game against Seychelles. Ahead of Friday’s dead-rubber qualifier versus the Pirates in Asaba, the Super Eagles trained for the first time on Tuesday evening.
Stoke City midfielder Etebo Ogenekaro, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and young striker Victor Osimhen were the others that arrived the camp on Tuesday, and they joined their colleagues to take part in the first training session at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in the evening. Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo, Semi Ajayi, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ikouwem Utin and Valentine Ozornwafor were the early birds, with Ahmed Musa, Paul Onuachu, Effiong Ndifreke, Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu, Wilfred Ndidi, Chidozie Awaziem, Moses Simon, Jamilu Collins joining the squad later on.
Although Gernot Rohr’s men have booked a place in Egypt 2019, they would be hoping to end the qualification series on a high note. Friday's game will be seen as one of the three-time African champions’ build-up matches for the biennial competition in the north African nation. The first leg ended 3-0 with Odion Ighalo, Chidozie Awaziem and Ahmed Musa finding the net at Stade Linite, Victoria. Four days later, Nigeria will take on Egypt in a friendly at the same venue.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, told reporters at the stadium that the players were in high spirit preparing for the encounter: “The team is in high spirit; we are happy and have been here in the past. Last time we enjoyed our stay and that’s why we are here again. “We are training to win our match on Friday and also to win our friendly with Egypt on Monday.” Ibitoye said.
He commended the Delta Government for its commitment to sports development, especially for the provision of sports facilities at the stadium as well as ensuring the welfare of its sports men and women.
Meanwhile some football fans in and around Asaba have expressed disappointment for not being allowed to watch the national team’s training session. Amechi Moka told reporters that he traveled from Ibusa near Asaba, to the state capital to catch a glimpse of the players at the pitch only to be turned back by security operatives. Moka said he would remain outside the main bowl of the stadium until the end of the training session to see the players enter their bus. He however expressed enthusiasm to be at the stadium on Friday for AFCON qualifying match.
Another fan, Miss Favour Okoye, said it was not right for the fans to be denied access into the stadium to watch the Eagles’ training. Miss Okoye, however, observed, “probably, the measure is to avoid distraction.” It was reported that hundreds of football fans waited outside the stadium as only journalists were allowed just 20 minutes to watch the training session.
Super Eagles will on Friday host the Pirates of Seychelles in their final game of the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of nations (AFCON). They will also take on the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly encounter at the same venue on Tuesday.

                                                        
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