Obafemi Awolowo Stadium
| Capacity | 25,000 |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1960 |
The Obafemi Awolowo Stadium located at Liberty road, Ring Road in Ibadan, Nigeria, was originally named the Liberty Stadium until 2010. It is a historic football stadium with a capacity of 25,000 seats. [1]
History
Construction
The stadium was opened in 1960[2] during the tenure of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was serving as the Premier of the Western Region at the time.
African Cup of Nations
In 1980, the stadium hosted several matches during the African Cup of Nations, including a semi-final between Algeria and Egypt.
FIFA World Youth Championship
In 1999, the Liberty Stadium was selected along with eight other stadiums in Nigeria to host the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. [3] The stadium hosted all of the Group C matches, one of the Round of 16 matches, and one of the quarter-final matches.
Renaming
On November 12, 2010, the stadium was renamed as the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.[4] The renaming of the stadium was announced by the then Nigerian president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, when he visited Chief Obafemi Awolwo’s widow, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Awolowo. [5]
References
- ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/jujufilm/5885877459/in/photolist-9Y7EiR-9YatA9-9YaXFd-9Y81ic-9YaPjW-9YaXa3-9Y7Xxp-9YaLo5-9YaMJo-9YaYVG-9Y8276-9YaM6j-9Y82S6-9YaNy7-9YaQfU-9YaZxW-9YaR6E-9YavZE-9Y7PLH-9YaFnA-9YaDpd-9Y7DCk-9Y7ChT-9Yauey-9YaEgY-9YaAbu-9YaGkQ-9Y7GcM-9Y7AAg-9Y7CXB-9YaBzU
- ↑ Wolfgang F. Stolper, Clive S. Gray (2003). Inside Independent Nigeria: Diaries of Wolfgang Stolper, 1960-1962. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 0-7546-0995-2.
- ↑ Ajimotokan, Olawale (22 April 2012). "World Cup Venue: Crowd Attitude Counts against Ibadan". This Day Live. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ Awolowo Stadium At last, Nigerian Tribune, November 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Jonathan Renames Liberty Stadium in Ibadan after Awolowo". The African Examiner. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2012.