Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium "The stadium built as fortress for the Southern Clubsides"

Posted : 06 June 2023

The elegant Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was built in 2015, by Rivers State Government as an alternative to already dilapidated Gowon Stadium.

Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is located in the the north end of the city in the Omagwa neighbourhood of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The stadium derived its name from Adokiye Amiesimaka, an Ex Eagles player and member of the team that won the Afican Nations Cup for Nigeria on the home soil in 1980, together with notable stars such as Best Ogedegbe, Emmanuel Okala, Moses Effiong, who are the goalkeepers.

Defenders: David Adiele, Johnny Orlando, Sylvanus Okpala, Okey Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Godwin Odiye, Christian Chukwu.

Midfielders: Mudashiru Lawal, Alloysius Atuegbu, Henry Nwosu, Kadiri Ikhana, Frank Nwachi Segun Odegbami (Mathematical), Felix Owolabi, Christian Chukwu, Muda Lawal, Ifeanyi Onyedika.

Amiesimaka was also one-time Chairman of the state-owned Sharks Football club and a former Attorney General of Rivers State.

There are many unique things about Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium part of which is the size; it is arguably the second biggest stadium in Nigeria with a sitting capacity of 38,000 people.

Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is also the first all-covered seat stadium, as most of the stadiums in Nigeria are either partly covered or full open roof, taking care of only the VIP section, which is mandatory to have a cover.

Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was opened on July 19, 2015, while its commissioning was greeted with a match between Nigeria and Congo in a qualifier for the Rio Olympics which ended with a 2–1 over Congo.

While many stadia are graded on physical structures, Adokiye Amiesimaka is a masterpiece in architectural design, just as its features bring charm and reality watching the game most people love, which is football.

Arguably, football is the most loved and followed sport in Nigeria, as the present FIFA President, Giani Infantino described the appreciation of football in Nigeria as a religion on its own.

Fans obviously worship football inside the stadium, as many would travel from far places to the stadium to watch live matches.

On these grounds, there seems to be a deliberate action plan to have stadiums via government (public) and private initiatives.

The oil rich Rivers State is not lagging behind in providing these sporting infrastructure and the elegant Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium stands tall among the best in Nigeria.

Adokiye Amiesimaka multi-purpose Stadium has built-in standard fittings and structure befitting an oil producing state.

The 38,000 capacity stadium also has exclusive features of a standard hockey pitch, a shooting range and 25 emergency exits, among other features that backs its claims as the most equipped stadium in Nigeria.

The stadium has two training pitches, and all pitches are adorned with natural grass.

During a visit to Amiesimaka Stadium, A National Asset–Minister of Information and Communications, Mr Labaran Maku described the stadium as one of the best in Nigeria.

After the completion of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, the state-owned clubs such as Sharks FC, Dolphins FC and lately, Rivers United FC have had their matches in it.

Instantly, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium became a fortress, especially about two years ago when the state-owned Rivers United FC started nursing the ambition of wining the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Stanley Eguma-led team eventually won the league last year, (2022) while games won at the iconic Adokiye Amiesimaka played an important role in garnering necessary points.

Playing the continental football during the last season, Rivers United were held to a 1-1 draw by Sudanese club, Al Hilal in their CAF Champions League first round, first leg tie at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Rivers United fought their way back and equalised 22 minutes from time when Mohamed Saeed put the ball into his own net.

Unfortunately after a report that the main pitch of Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium had developed undulations which made it impracticable for standard football games to be hosted there, Governor Nyesom Wike, knowing the place of sports in the socio-economic development of state, ordered the entire renovation of the stadium.

In 2020, a contract was signed for the renovation of the main turf, training fields and a total facelift for facilities in the stadium

Gov. Wike noted that he was appropriately embarking on a journey towards making sports infrastructure in the state aligned with the best structure and of highest standards befitting the state.

During an inspection tour, Wike said it was necessary to have the stadium pitch overhauled to allow for fresh regrassing which will also accommodate the practice pitches of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and renovation work at Rivers United Football Club Camp in Port Harcourt.

He stressed that the rehabilitation of the football pitches in the stadium was aimed at ensuring that both teams were given a conducive environment for optimal performance in local and continental matches.

According to him, "I am impressed with the rate at which the rehabilitation is going on.

"The contractor has assured us that he will deliver on schedule and of good quality; with what we have seen so far, he will meet the deadline."

The rehabilitation of the pitches has the contractor installing about 120 sprinklers in addition to the provision of several boreholes, pumping stations, and generators to guarantee regular maintenance of the football field.

At the Rivers United Camp, he tasked the contractor to expedite action on the renovation work, while insisting that all materials to be used must be of the best quality in order to make the players comfortable.

Unfortunately, after winning their first domestic league title with the opportunity to play in continental competitions, Confederation of African Football (CAF) suspended Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for falling below its standard, hence, Rivers United were asked to play their home matches at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Immediately after the renovation of the stadium, a delegation of CAF came for inspection and had nice things to say about the stadium.

Nasir Jubril, the CAF Stadium Inspector, expressed his admiration for the upgraded Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, noting the improvements in the facilities.

"The facilities have changed totally, the reserve bench is new, the grass on the pitch is a lot better, 10 times better than it was three months ago.

"We have a checklist of what to look out for and I think the stadium has ticked 75 per cent of the boxes. Our report to CAF will greatly determine what decision CAF will take."

The completion of the renovation work on Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, will no doubt bring a new lease of life to football and other sports in Rivers State.

Rivers United, who are currently the defending champions of the NPFL, are still in the race to win the 2022/2023 NPFL which automatically qualifies Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium as host for continental football, hence the football fans in Rivers State will have another opportunity to watch their darling club represent Nigeria.

Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is indeed, a facility to watch out for in the coming season.

Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium "The stadium built as fortress for the Southern Clubsides"

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