Odegbami, Adepoju Hail Remodeled Warri City Stadium Pitch

Posted : 24 September 2026

Former Nigeria captain Segun Odegbami and ex-Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju have praised the remodeled pitch at Warri City Stadium after inspecting the facility in Delta State. Mainasara Ilo and other sports stakeholders also joined the tour of the stadium.

Odegbami described the transformation in glowing terms and said the quality of the pitch made him feel like playing football again. He also stressed that good playing surfaces remain essential to the development of Nigerian football.

“This is the Eighth Wonder of the World, and I feel like playing football again,” Odegbami said. He also praised contractor Lanre Adeleke and his team for the work completed at the stadium.

Adepoju, who was part of Nigeria's 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, also expressed optimism about the development. He said the new pitch had given him hope that Nigerian football could return to an era of quality playing surfaces.

The stadium has had a difficult history with its playing surface. In 2009, Warri was disqualified by a visiting FIFA inspection team because of the poor condition of the pitch, while subsequent attempts to restore the facility were affected by the area's drainage and terrain challenges.

The latest renovation was commissioned under Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, with Peculiar Ultimate Concern Ltd handling the project. The renovation has now reached an advanced stage, with the contractor saying major drainage and turf problems have been addressed.

Adeleke explained that four discharge points were installed to improve water drainage from the playing surface. He also said six layers were constructed beneath the pitch before the installation of paspalum grass, which he described as the first of its kind used on a Nigerian football pitch.

The contractor added that the drainage system was designed to address the flooding problems that had affected the stadium over the years. He said the pitch remained playable despite recent heavy rainfall in Warri.

Ilo, who has participated in stadium inspections for major international competitions, also praised the work. He said the remodeling had been carried out with CAF and FIFA requirements in mind and noted that the stadium has sufficient dressing-room facilities to accommodate a double-header.

Adeleke said similar modern pitches are being developed in other Nigerian cities. He identified Yenagoa as another location where the technology is being installed, while plans are also being considered for Asaba. He added that the company's long-term projection is to have up to 10 Nigerian stadiums equipped with modern playing surfaces.

The redevelopment could give Delta State another venue for major football matches once the wider stadium project is completed. Adeleke has said the facility is expected to reach international standard before the end of the year, while maintenance arrangements are also being incorporated into the project.

Odegbami, Adepoju Hail Remodeled Warri City Stadium Pitch

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