Adepoju Hails Teslim Balogun Stadium Pitch, Says It Can Host Super Eagles

Posted : 24 September 2026

Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has praised the newly upgraded playing surface at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. The former Nigeria international said the pitch has reached a standard capable of hosting the Super Eagles and other major football matches.

Adepoju made the remarks on Wednesday after touring the stadium with other sports stakeholders. The inspection took place amid rainfall as work continued on several sports facilities being developed or upgraded by the Lagos State Government.

The former midfielder, popularly known as “Headmaster,” said he was impressed by the quality of the new green turf. He also expressed satisfaction that the stadium could once again be considered for high-level football.

Adepoju praised Lare Adeleke, Chief Executive Officer of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, and the company's engineering team for their work on the playing surface. He also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the stadium's rehabilitation.

The stadium's natural grass pitch is part of a wider rehabilitation programme ahead of the inaugural National Intermediate Games in Lagos. The Teslim Balogun Stadium is among the major venues being prepared for the October 1 to 15 competition.

Adeleke, however, indicated that the pitch was not yet completely ready for handover. He explained that another layer was still required before the playing surface could be declared fully ready, stressing that the contractors wanted to avoid delivering substandard work.

He also said the grass at Teslim Balogun Stadium is about one month younger than the turf at Warri City Stadium. According to him, the Warri pitch is already ready for matches, while additional work is still required in Lagos.

The project team has brought in engineers involved in laying pitches in Côte d'Ivoire to contribute to the work. Adeleke said the design takes factors such as ball speed, rebound and player acceleration into account when assessing the quality of the playing surface.

The stadium had previously faced delays linked to its grass upgrade. In 2024, the Lagos State Sports Commission said unresolved issues surrounding the grass surface had contributed to delays in the wider renovation project.

Recent reports indicate that the stadium now has a new natural grass pitch, while work on the athletics track and other facilities is continuing. The rehabilitation is part of Lagos' preparations to host the National Intermediate Games later this year.

The tour also covered the newly completed stadium at Gbagada, a community sports complex with an artificial turf and Agege Stadium. Similar projects have also been completed in Ketu, Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry as Lagos expands its sports infrastructure.

Adepoju Hails Teslim Balogun Stadium Pitch, Says It Can Host Super Eagles

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