Soccer News of Thursday, 24 May 2007

Source: Raymond-Jerrysonfm

Kotoko arrives in lagos today

GHANA's Ashanti Kotoko Football Club and Nigeria's Enyimba International will arrive Lagos today for weekend's international friendly for the commissioning of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

According to the Lagos Football Association (LAFA) Chairman, Waidi Akanni, the match is put together by the Lagos State Government to give Lagosians, and indeed, Nigerians, the best of football that will be remembered for a long time. Akanni said everything that has to do with the successful hosting of the match has been put in place and called on Lagosians to come out enmass to experience good football from two top sides in Africa.

"All arrangements relating to appearance fee, accommodation and feeding of both teams have been taken care off by the state government. The government knows the enormity of the event and has thrown its weight behind it," he said. "Teslim Balogun is noted for excellence in football so it is good that we arrange a top-flight game for a man whose legendary has spread throughout the length and breadth of the country."

The former international stated that his relationship with Kotoko helped broker the deal that will see the Ghanaians take on the Nigerians this weekend. Also revealing plans for the Super Four tourney, Akanni said the Lagos FA is working with the Nigeria Football League (NFL) to ensure an exciting event.

The LAFA boss said he was excited that football is coming back to Lagos due to the completion of the Balogun Stadium. He added that more of such events would be staged in Lagos, assuring that Lagosians are in for a good time under his leadership as FA chairman.

"I must commend the state government for completing the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The edifice will surely boost sports and youth development in the state," he stated. Akanni assured that the FA, in conjunction with the Lagos State Sports Council, would ensure that the youths are taken off the streets through their participation in sports.