TheCable

The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between African champions Cote d’Ivoire and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will now take place at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday, the Nigeria Football Federation have announced.

The NFF had concluded arrangements for the match to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, but then received a letter from the Sierra Leone Football Association conveying concerns raised by the Football Ivorienne de Football (FIF) about playing on artificial turf.

This has necessitated a change to Port Harcourt.

“We received a letter from the SLFA saying they are aware of serious concerns by the Ivorien Football Federation about their players playing on artificial turf, which is the texture of the Teslim Balogun Stadium,” Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, said.

“The NFF had concluded arrangements to have the match in Lagos, but as a result of the letter, we had to look elsewhere. We appreciate the Lagos State Government for showing interest in hosting the match.”

Sierra Leone were banned from hosting international matches because of the deadly Ebola scourge.