Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium

Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, on the north end of the city in the Omagwa neighbourhood. The stadium is named after Adokiye Amiesimaka, a former player with Nigeria's national football team who was among the squad that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations, and has been a former chairman of the Sharks Football Club and a former Attorney General of Rivers State.[1] Presently, the stadium has a capacity of 38,000[2] people.

It opened on 19 July 2015 with a match between Nigeria and Congo in a qualifier for the Rio Olympics which ended in a 2–1 Nigerian victory.[3]

Later that month, Nigerian Premier League squad Dolphins announced they will play the remainder of the 2015 season in the stadium.[4]

From January 25 to 27 2019, the stadium was used for a 3-day event tagged, Higher Life Conference with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. It was filled to capacity and thousands of people sat on the main pitch for this event.[5] The stadium serves as the home ground for Rivers United.

Renovation

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The main pitch of the stadium developed undulations that made it impracticable for standard football games to be hosted there. In 2020, a contract was signed for renovation of the main turf, training fields and a total facelift for facilities in the stadium.[6] A decision was also made in 2020 by the Nigerian Federal Government to concession the stadium by 2021 to enable it have better facilities and yield more revenue.[7]

Matches

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The stadium has played host to many matches of the Nigerian Professional Football League including the game between Rivers United Football Club and Adamawa United in the 2020/2021 football season, and CAF Champion league between Rivers United and Young African from Tanzania.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Adokiye Amiesimaka pours encomium on wife". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  2. ^ admin (15 February 2013). "Amiesimaka Stadium, A National Asset – Maku - :::...The Tide News Online:::..." :::...The Tide News Online:::... Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Dream Team Walk Tight Rope After 2 -1 Win Against Congo:: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Dolphins take home games to Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium - Goal.com". goal.com. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Pastor Chris begins Higher Life Conference in Port Harcourt". nationaldailyng.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  6. ^ Abusomwan, Shedrack. "Sports: Renovation works commence at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium | AIT LIVE". Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  7. ^ "FG to concession national stadia, TBS, others in 2021 -". The Eagle Online. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Rivers United maintain NPFL lead with victory over Adamawa United -". The Eagle Online. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.

Linda Ikeji Blog Magazine - Rio Olympics 2016

4°58′3″N 6°58′17″E / 4.96750°N 6.97139°E / 4.96750; 6.97139