AFRICAN champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, and their opponents in the opening match Mali both had a feel of the remodelled Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Tuesday on the eve of the start of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament in Lagos.
The two teams will clash at the new arena, formerly known as the Onikan Stadium, in the opener of the six-team tournament.
Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu was at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena both on Monday evening and on Tuesday morning, giving directives to the contractors to get the job done quickly in time for the opening match.
On Tuesday morning, at a meeting with the Local Organising Committee led by Seyi Akinwunmi, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr (Mrs) Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, said she was personally excited by the remodelling of the Mobolaji Johnson Arena and commended the LOC for the ideals, vision and mission set for the tournament, and for encouraging the Future Assured Programme of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari.
Dr (Mrs) Sanwo-Olu also praised the work of the LOC, including the feat of attracting President of world football governing body, FIFA, President of CAF, Secretary General of FIFA and other distinguished personalities in world football to the opening ceremony billed for Wednesday.
Apart from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and CAF head Patrice Motsepe, Wednesday’s opening ceremony will be witnessed by Governor Sanwo-Olu, Mrs Sanwo-Olu, Sports Minister Sunday Dare, and NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
All the teams taking part in the tournament are already in Lagos, with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana arriving on Monday evening after a six-hour flight aboard South African Airways from Johannesburg.
Africa’s leading billionaire industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote will lead Corporate Nigeria to a dinner in honour of Infantino and Motsepe at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island on Wednesday night.
Nigeria and Mali, as well as Morocco, South Africa, Ghana and Cameroon are featuring in the friendly tournament.
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