Egbe Says He’s Constructing Sustainable Football Pitches for Lagos

* Fans await Ghana, South Africa, others

Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe, has declared that he is constructing at the Onikan and Agege stadiums playing pitches that would outlive the Aisha Buhari International Invitational Tournament billed for next month.

Egbe said what his outfit is constructing are pitches that would remain solid even in the next two decades.

“What we are constructing are world-class hybrid synthetic pitches with 100 per cent foot stability, very similar to 100 per cent properly installed natural grass pitch and perfect ball movement with zero undulation and no overheating,” observed Egbe yesterday.

He noted that what Nigeria needs are not tournament pitches that would go bad after being used for the particular tournament for which it was constructed.

“I am a Nigerian and I know what the country needs for our football to grow. I am in this industry to first of all raise the bar when it comes to our infrastructure. The job I am doing right now is one which Lagos would enjoy even in the next 20 years once the pitches are properly maintained and with the right traffic on it.

“Lagos has hosted several tournaments in the past and we always start talking about a good playing turf when the opportunity to host another tournament presents itself. That is going to end with what we are doing at Agege and Onikan,” Egbe pledged.

The Bayelsa State-born sports facilities expert thanked Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu for giving him the opportunity to give Monimichelle touch to the sports facilities in Lagos, even as he added that he is going to give the state the very best as the Centre of Excellence.

Meanwhile, the buzz and excitement for the Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament is gathering momentum, as the ever-passionate and vibrant Lagos fans eagerly look forward to welcoming the African Ladies to the City of Aquatic Splendour.

With the theme, Playing for Good, the visiting teams won’t be starved of support from the home crowd.

The pleasure of playing in Lagos is extreme. It is a place where fans are ever ready to switch their loyalty to any side that meets their football expectations.

“I will support the Mali team, even though I know that Nigeria will win the Cup,” says Emmanuella, a JSS 2 student of Birrel High School Sabo, Yaba. For her friends Bose and Ifeoluwa, both students of Onike Girls Secondary School, the Aisha Buhari Cup tournament will provide them the opportunity to see four – time African Woman Player of the Year winner, Asisat Oshoala.

“Most of our classmates talk about Asisat Oshoala; will she play? We will like to come and watch her play for Nigeria.” Emeka Ndidi, a shop owner at Shitta, Surulere, believes the rivalry among Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon is the spice that makes women football in the continent tick.

“You know the rivalry between Super Falcons and these other countries is a big one. It will be interesting to watch them and see if they can measure up to Nigeria.”

Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco and Mali are the teams expected to test might when the tournament takes place 13th – 21st September 2021.

In another development, the Federation Malienne de Football has announced a provisional squad of 38 players of the country’s women A team for the Aisha Buhari Cup, with the players set to resume camping early this week.

Mali are ranked 9th in Africa and 84th in the world.

They will be joined at the 13th – 21st September tournament in the City of Lagos by hosts Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa and Cameroon.

MALI’S PROVISIONAL SQUAD:

Adoudou Konate Aissat Bengaly, Djouma Kamate, Oumou Kone, Aissata Sidibe, Hadiaratou Coulibaly, Nassoum Keita, Sarantou Traore, Maimouna Togola, Assetou Traore (Super Lionesses); Oumou Traore, Hawa Traore, Bassira Toure, Aicha Samake, Fatoumata Diarra (AS Mande); Fatim Bah, Zainab Sidibe, Fatoumata Konate, Fatou Dembele (Amazone CV); Fatouma Karentao, Oumou Toure, Oumou Tangara (USFAS); Awa Keita, Binta Diarra, Lala Dicko (AS Real); Maimouna Traore (AS Police); Aissata Traore (Guingamp); Aissata Diadhiou (FC RM Maison); Agaissa Diarra (CM Layoun); Coulouba Sogore (AJ Auxerre); Yakare Niakate (FC Malo); Kani Konte, Oumou Fofana (VGS Sain Maur); Haby Wande, Tiguida Diaby (AS Monaco); Tenin Sissoko (Fleury FC); Bintou Kone (Kenifra); Sebe Coulibaly (Yzeur)