National Stadium, Lagos

Coordinates: 6°29′49″N 3°21′53″E / 6.49694°N 3.36472°E / 6.49694; 3.36472
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6°29′49″N 3°21′53″E / 6.49694°N 3.36472°E / 6.49694; 3.36472

National Stadium, Lagos
Map
Full nameNational Stadium
Former namesSurulere Stadium
LocationSurulere, Lagos
OwnerNigerian government
Capacity55,000 (1972)
45,000 (1999)
Record attendance85,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1961
Opened1961
Renovated1972, 2024
Expanded1972
ArchitectIsaac Fola-Alade
Project managerAlbino Luigino Davanzo
Tenants
Cowrie Rugby Football Club (rugby union)
Side view of the Indoor Sports Complex

The Lagos National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, which comprises an Olympic-size swimming arena and a multipurpose arena used for athletics, rugby union, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing matches. It was used mostly for football matches until 2004. It hosted several international competitions including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final, the 2000 African Cup of Nations final, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. It also served as the main stadium for the 1973 All-Africa Games.[1][2]

History[edit]

When the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000. The capacity was then reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The highest attendance, 85,000, was recorded in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.[3]

Its 50-meter pool was closed in 1999.[4]

For unknown reasons, the National Stadium had been left to dilapidate since the early 2000s.[5] It last hosted a national team game in 2004, with football matches moved to the nearby Teslim Balogun Stadium.[6] It is now occasionally used for religious gatherings[7] and has been taken over by area boys[8] and squatters.[9] In 2009, the National Sports Commission begun a concerted effort to bring the facility back to world class status.[10]

Notable football events[edit]

1980 African Cup of Nations[edit]

Date Team 1 Result Team 2 Round
8 March 1980  Nigeria 3–1  Tanzania Group A
 Egypt 2–1  Ivory Coast
12 March 1980  Egypt 2–1  Tanzania
 Nigeria 0–0  Ivory Coast
15 March 1980  Ivory Coast 1–1  Tanzania
 Nigeria 1–0  Egypt
19 March 1980  Nigeria 1–0  Morocco Semifinal
21 March 1980  Morocco 2–0  Egypt Third place match
22 March 1980  Nigeria 3–0  Algeria Final

1999 FIFA World Youth Championship[edit]

Date Team 1 Result Team 2 Attendance Round
2 April 1999  Nigeria 1–1  Costa Rica 37,500 Group A
4 April 1999  Germany 4–0  Paraguay 2,500
7 April 1999  Nigeria 2–0  Germany 20,000
 Costa Rica 1–3  Paraguay 18,000
10 April 1999  Nigeria 1–2  Paraguay 25,000
 Costa Rica 2–1  Germany 22,000
14 April 1999  Paraguay 2–2 (a.e.t.) (9–10 p)  Uruguay 1,500 Round of 16
18 April 1999  Uruguay 2–1  Brazil 10,000 Quarter-final
21 April 1999  Uruguay 1–2  Japan 8,000 Semi-final
24 April 1999  Mali 1–0  Uruguay 35,000 Third place play-off
 Spain 4–0  Japan 38,000 Final

2000 African Cup of Nations[edit]

Date Team 1 Result Team 2 Attendance Round
23 January 2000  Nigeria 4–2  Tunisia 80,000 Group D
25 January 2000  Morocco 1–0  Congo 8,000
28 January 2000  Nigeria 0–0  Congo 60,000
29 January 2000  Tunisia 0–0  Morocco 5,000
1 February 2000  Zambia 2–2  Senegal 2,000 Group C
3 February 2000  Nigeria 2–0  Morocco 60,000 Group D
7 February 2000  Nigeria 2–1 (a.e.t.)  Senegal Quarterfinal
10 February 2000  Nigeria 2–0  South Africa Semifinal
13 February 2000  Nigeria 2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p)  Cameroon Final

See also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • Pan African Games Lagos January 7-18, 1973. Runners in the starting position on courts
    Pan African Games Lagos January 7-18, 1973. Runners in the starting position on courts
  • Swimming Pool In National Stadium Lagos
    Swimming Pool In National Stadium Lagos

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lashem, Favour (2023-04-28). "National Stadium Lagos prone to danger due to neglect – Expert Newsdiaryonline". Newsdiaryonline. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  2. ^ Ayeyemi, Dayo (2023-04-25). "Worry over derelict National Stadium, other abandoned buildings". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  3. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2023-09-04). "FG considers rebuilding National Stadium Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  4. ^ Olanike Igandan-Dada (October 26, 2015). "How poor Lagos facility hampers Nigeria's quest for swimming medals". The Guardian.
  5. ^ "The abandoned National Stadium in Lagos (Editorial)". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. 2006-11-09. Retrieved 2008-02-13. [dead link]
  6. ^ "2004 LG Cup results (rsssf.com)". Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  7. ^ Ugbodaga, Kazeem (2006-11-06). "Lagos Agog For Bonnke". PM News (Lagos). Independent Communications Network Limited. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  8. ^ Adingupu, Charles (2007-03-04). "Hoodlums on Lagos highway". The Guardian (Lagos). Guardian Newspapers Limited, via nigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 2008-02-13. [dead link]
  9. ^ Salami, Adekunle (2008-01-02). "Squatters take over National Stadium". The Punch (Lagos). Punch Nigeria Limited. Archived from the original on 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
  10. ^ "NSC promises to refurbish Lagos National Stadium". Guardian Newspapers Limited (12-23-2009).[permanent dead link]

External links[edit]

Preceded by African Cup of Nations
Final Venue
1980
2000 		Succeeded by


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