There would be an intriguing view in Lagos today as the long-awaited Aisha Buhari Invitational Women Football Tournament commences with Nigeria’s Super Falcons taking on Mali’s Eagles.
Naija News learnt FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, FIFA Secretary, Fatma Samoura, and other world football personalities are all expected at the opening ceremony of the Aisha Buhari Cup.
All matches of the competition will be played at the newly remodelled Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
Lagos First Lady, Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, had during a meeting with the organisers yesterday, expressed excitement on the commencement of the competition which will be watched by dignitaries across the world.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu commended the LOC media for the ideals, vision and mission set for the tournament, and for encouraging the Future Assured Programme of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari.
After a Tuesday evening warm up game, Nigeria and Mali will today perfect their strategies to secure a space in the next round of the competition.
Among dignitaries at the stadium to watch the teams’ training sessions was Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who also took time off to ensure the arena is fit for a championship of this magnitude.
Also expected today at the opening ceremony are top government officials, including Governor Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, NFF President and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, members of the diplomatic corps, top officials of the Lagos State government, NFF board members, captains of industry and leading stakeholders of the game in Nigeria, Naija News understands.
The six teams in the competition arrived in the country at the weekend, except South Africa that came in yesterday.
Naija News understands LOC had organised a dinner night in honour of Infantino and Motsepe with Africa’s leading billionaire industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, leading Corporate Nigeria to the event scheduled for Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
This article was originally published on Naija News