National Stadium, Lagos

6°29′49″N 3°21′53″E

National Stadium, Lagos
Full nameNational Stadium
Former namesSurulere Stadium
LocationSurulere, Lagos
OwnerNigerian government
Capacity55,000 (1972)
45,000 (1999)
Record attendance85,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1961
Opened1961
Renovated1972
Expanded1972
ArchitectIsaac Fola-Alade
Project managerAlbino Luigino Davanzo
Tenants
various
Side view of the Indoor Sports Complex

The Lagos National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, which comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for athletics, rugby, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches. It was used mostly for football matches until 2004. It 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

When the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000. The capacity was then reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The record attendance is 85,000 and was taken in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.[3]

Its 50-meter pool was closed in 1999.[4]

For unknown reasons, the National Stadium had been left to dilapidate since the early 2000s.[5] It last hosted a national team game in 2004, with football matches moved to the nearby Teslim Balogun Stadium.[6] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[7] and has been taken over by area boys[8] and squatters.[9] In 2009, the National Sports Commission begun a concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.[10]

Notable football events

1980 African Cup of Nations
DateTeam 1ResultTeam 2Round
8 March 1980 Nigeria3–1 TanzaniaGroup A
 Egypt2–1 Ivory Coast
12 March 1980 Egypt2–1 Tanzania
 Nigeria0–0 Ivory Coast
15 March 1980 Ivory Coast1–1 Tanzania
 Nigeria1–0 Egypt
19 March 1980 Nigeria1–0 MoroccoSemifinal
21 March 1980 Morocco2–0 EgyptThird place match
22 March 1980 Nigeria3–0 AlgeriaFinal

1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
DateTeam 1ResultTeam 2AttendanceRound
2 April 1999 Nigeria1–1 Costa Rica37,500Group A
4 April 1999 Germany4–0 Paraguay2,500
7 April 1999 Nigeria2–0 Germany20,000
 Costa Rica1–3 Paraguay18,000
10 April 1999 Nigeria1–2 Paraguay25,000
 Costa Rica2–1 Germany22,000
14 April 1999 Paraguay2–2 (a.e.t.) (9–10 p) Uruguay1,500Round of 16
18 April 1999 Uruguay2–1 Brazil10,000Quarter-final
21 April 1999 Uruguay1–2 Japan8,000Semi-final
24 April 1999 Mali1–0 Uruguay35,000Third place play-off
 Spain4–0 Japan38,000Final

2000 African Cup of Nations
DateTeam 1ResultTeam 2AttendanceRound
23 January 2000 Nigeria4–2 Tunisia80,000Group D
25 January 2000 Morocco1–0 Congo8,000
28 January 2000 Nigeria0–0 Congo60,000
29 January 2000 Tunisia0–0 Morocco5,000
1 February 2000 Zambia2–2 Senegal2,000Group C
3 February 2000 Nigeria2–0 Morocco60,000Group D
7 February 2000 Nigeria2–1 (a.e.t.) SenegalQuarterfinal
10 February 2000 Nigeria2–0 South AfricaSemifinal
13 February 2000 Nigeria2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) CameroonFinal

See also
  • Pan African Games Lagos January 7-18, 1973. Runners in the starting position on courts
    Pan African Games Lagos January 7-18, 1973. Runners in the starting position on courts
  • Swimming Pool In National Stadium Lagos
    Swimming Pool In National Stadium Lagos

References
  1. Lashem, Favour (2023-04-28). "National Stadium Lagos prone to danger due to neglect – Expert Newsdiaryonline". Newsdiaryonline. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  2. Ayeyemi, Dayo (2023-04-25). "Worry over derelict National Stadium, other abandoned buildings". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  3. Nigeria, Guardian (2023-09-04). "FG considers rebuilding National Stadium Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  4. Olanike Igandan-Dada (October 26, 2015). "How poor Lagos facility hampers Nigeria's quest for swimming medals". The Guardian.
  5. "The abandoned National Stadium in Lagos (Editorial)". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. 2006-11-09. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  6. "2004 LG Cup results (rsssf.com)". Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  7. Ugbodaga, Kazeem (2006-11-06). "Lagos Agog For Bonnke". PM News (Lagos). Independent Communications Network Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  8. Adingupu, Charles (2007-03-04). "Hoodlums on Lagos highway". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  9. 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.
  10. "NSC promises to refurbish Lagos National Stadium". Guardian Newspapers Limited (12-23-2009).


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