Despite Nigeria’s ouster from the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the Lagos State Sports Commission says its viewing centres across the state would remain open.
The Director-General, LSSC, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, assured football fans of the decision, on Tuesday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, in Lagos.
He spoke following the ouster of the Super Eagles from the AFCON, where the team crashed out after losing 1-0 to Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on Sunday.
Gafar said that the viewing centres that were erected for the AFCON in the state would not be closed until the final match was played, adding that the purpose of the viewing centres was to let the people enjoy good governance.
“The viewing centres will continue to air the live matches of the AFCON 2021 in spite of the Super Eagles’ elimination from the tournament.
“What the state government is doing with the viewing centres is to bring governance to the people as Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised to make Lagosians, and by extension, Nigerians happy.
“The provision of the viewing centres is part of the programmes earmarked to bring smiles on the faces of Nigerians, so, the viewing centres will continue with the live matches.
“The plan is to have the live matches from the opening match to the final match. The viewing centres are not attached to the Super Eagles participation at the AFCON,” he said.
He also urged Lagosians to continue to visit the various viewing centres to watch other countries play, saying, “Lagosians love sports and the king of sports in Nigeria, which is football, and the king of all states in Nigeria is Lagos. We are hopeful that it will get better.
“Though the Super Eagles lost to the Tunisians, it is not a big deal, I wish the Eagles better luck in future.”
(NAN).
