Umukino-Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Sports, African Football, European Football, Soccer, Rugby, Tennis, Basketball

THE Nigerian football federation is hesitant to name the venue for the 2013 Africa Nations’ Cup qualifier against Rwanda due on June 16.

Late last month, NFF made a confirmation that the Super Eagles would face Namibia on June 3 and Rwanda on the weekend of June 15 and 17 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna but a series of bomb attacks in that city raised uncertainty about the suitability of Kaduna to host such high profile games.

But stronger indications have emerged that the Abuja National Stadium would play host to the Super Eagles World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers next month.

The poor condition of the pitch had cast doubt on the possibility of the encounters holding in Abuja, a development that forced the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pick the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna as the alternative venue.

Latest information has, however, put big doubts on matches being played outside the Federal Capital Territory as it was gathered that pressures from the government have given Abuja the green light to stage the matches inspite of the poor state of the pitch.

“Top government officials have also made it clear that the game should not be moved outside the capital city of Abuja.

“The ministry do not want the game played outside Abuja and will do everything to work on the pitch,” an NFF official revealed.

It was learnt that officials have also paid another visit to the Abuja National Stadium and a top official told MTNFootball.com the rainy season may help out in improving the pitch, which suffered from lack of maintenance as a result of no power at the facility.

The executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will meet next week to decide on the venue for the Eagles matches.