6°29′49″N 3°21′53″E / 6.49694°N 3.36472°E
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| Full name | National Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Surulere Stadium |
| Location | Surulere, Lagos |
| Owner | Nigerian government |
| Capacity | 55,000 (1972) 45,000 (1999) |
| Record attendance | 85,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1961 |
| Opened | 1961 |
| Renovated | 1972, 2024 |
| Expanded | 1972 |
| Architect | Isaac Fola-Alade |
| Project manager | Albino Luigino Davanzo |
| Tenants | |
| Cowrie Rugby Football Club (rugby union) | |
The Lagos National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. It comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for athletics, rugby union, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches. It was used mostly for football matches until 2004. It has hosted several international competitions, including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final, the 2000 African Cup of Nations final, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. It also served as the main stadium for the 1973 All-Africa Games.[1][2]
History
editWhen the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000.[3] The capacity was later reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The highest attendance, 85,000, was recorded in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.[4]
Its 50-meter pool was closed in 1999.[5]
For unknown reasons, the National Stadium had been left in dilapidated state since the early 2000s until 2022 when the FG began renovation work at the stadium.[6] It last hosted a national team game in 2004, with football matches moved to the nearby Teslim Balogun Stadium.[7] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[8] and has been taken over by area boys[9] and squatters.[10] In 2009, the National Sports Commission begun a concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.[11]
Notable football events
edit| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 March 1980 | Nigeria | 3–1 | Tanzania | Group A |
| Egypt | 2–1 | Ivory Coast | ||
| 12 March 1980 | Egypt | 2–1 | Tanzania | |
| Nigeria | 0–0 | Ivory Coast | ||
| 15 March 1980 | Ivory Coast | 1–1 | Tanzania | |
| Nigeria | 1–0 | Egypt | ||
| 19 March 1980 | Nigeria | 1–0 | Morocco | Semifinal |
| 21 March 1980 | Morocco | 2–0 | Egypt | Third place match |
| 22 March 1980 | Nigeria | 3–0 | Algeria | Final |
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Attendance | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 April 1999 | Nigeria | 1–1 | Costa Rica | 37,500 | Group A |
| 4 April 1999 | Germany | 4–0 | Paraguay | 2,500 | |
| 7 April 1999 | Nigeria | 2–0 | Germany | 20,000 | |
| Costa Rica | 1–3 | Paraguay | 18,000 | ||
| 10 April 1999 | Nigeria | 1–2 | Paraguay | 25,000 | |
| Costa Rica | 2–1 | Germany | 22,000 | ||
| 14 April 1999 | Paraguay | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (9–10 p) | Uruguay | 1,500 | Round of 16 |
| 18 April 1999 | Uruguay | 2–1 | Brazil | 10,000 | Quarter-final |
| 21 April 1999 | Uruguay | 1–2 | Japan | 8,000 | Semi-final |
| 24 April 1999 | Mali | 1–0 | Uruguay | 35,000 | Third place play-off |
| Spain | 4–0 | Japan | 38,000 | Final |
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Attendance | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 January 2000 | Nigeria | 4–2 | Tunisia | 80,000 | Group D |
| 25 January 2000 | Morocco | 1–0 | Congo | 8,000 | |
| 28 January 2000 | Nigeria | 0–0 | Congo | 60,000 | |
| 29 January 2000 | Tunisia | 0–0 | Morocco | 5,000 | |
| 1 February 2000 | Zambia | 2–2 | Senegal | 2,000 | Group C |
| 3 February 2000 | Nigeria | 2–0 | Morocco | 60,000 | Group D |
| 7 February 2000 | Nigeria | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Senegal | Quarterfinal | |
| 10 February 2000 | Nigeria | 2–0 | South Africa | Semifinal | |
| 13 February 2000 | Nigeria | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Cameroon | Final |
See also
editArchitecture
editThe National Stadium was designed by Fola Alade Associates in the year 1970. Construction and supervision took place between 1971 to 1973 by Fola Alade the Architect who designed the stadium, before the All African games that happened in 1973 you can find more details here. The stadium was used as the major sporting facility for the games [1].
Gallery
edit-
Pan African Games Lagos January 7-18, 1973. Runners in the starting position on courts
-
Swimming Pool In National Stadium Lagos
References
edit- ^ a b Lashem, Favour (2023-04-28). "National Stadium Lagos prone to danger due to neglect – Expert Newsdiaryonline". Newsdiaryonline. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Ayeyemi, Dayo (2023-04-25). "Worry over derelict National Stadium, other abandoned buildings". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Aiyejina, Tana (2023-04-24). "Lagos stadium: From West Africa's best to national shame". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "FG considers rebuilding National Stadium Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Olanike Igandan-Dada (October 26, 2015). "How poor Lagos facility hampers Nigeria's quest for swimming medals". The Guardian.
- ^ "The abandoned National Stadium in Lagos (Editorial)". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. 2006-11-09. Retrieved 2008-02-13. [dead link]
- ^ "2004 LG Cup results (rsssf.com)". Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- ^ Ugbodaga, Kazeem (2006-11-06). "Lagos Agog For Bonnke". PM News (Lagos). Independent Communications Network Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
- ^ Adingupu, Charles (2007-03-04). "Hoodlums on Lagos highway". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13. [dead link]
- ^ Salami, Adekunle (2008-01-02). "Squatters take over National Stadium". The Punch (Lagos). Punch Nigeria Limited. Archived from the original on 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "NSC promises to refurbish Lagos National Stadium". Guardian Newspapers Limited (12-23-2009).[permanent dead link]
External links
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