The People’s Elephant have been forced to revert to the use of the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium after the choice of Uyo was rejected by CAF
Enyimba’s desire to have their Caf Confederation Cup group stage tie with Williamsville AC of Cote d’ Ivoire moved from the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo has been rejected by the Confederation of African Football.
The People’s Elephant had played their previous three home games on the continent at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar but CAF ruled against the use of the stadium and Enyimba opted for the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium as a replacement for their July 18 tie.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Football Association, Emmanuel Iba informed that Enyimba contacted them for the use of Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo as a substitute for the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium if they get the approval of the African football ruling body and that they were given express permission from Akwa Ibom government to use the edifice.
He, however, noted that he has been informed that the game would now go ahead in Port Harcourt and not Uyo after CAF turned down Enyimba’s late request for a venue change.
“The match will now be played at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt because CAF rejected Enyimba’s quest to change the venue of their match to Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo,” Iba told Goal.
“We were set to host Enyimba and have put all things in place before we got a mail from CAF telling us that they will stick to the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium because the notice for a venue change came late. We were told that CAF is willing to ensure that the game goes ahead there as the kick off time has been put at 2 pm.
“We were told that it was difficult for a new venue to be taken because of logistics reasons of the visiting team and the match officials. There won’t be a need for the use of the floodlight because the game will start at 2 pm. We are hopeful that Enyimba will give a good account of themselves.”
A message from Enyimba media also confirmed the change in venue to the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt: "CAF just informed us we would indeed play in Port Harcourt at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium on July 18 at 2 pm."
Enyimba are third with three points from two games behind Williamsville and CARA Brazzaville of Congo who are first and second with four and three points respectively.
