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 African Nations Cup in 1980, former Chairman of 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 with a 2–1 scoreline success over Congo.[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 full capacity and thousands of people sat on the main pitch for this event.[5] It serves as the home ground to Rivers United.

Renovation

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

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]

References
  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.

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