Life returns to Abuja National Stadium January

The pitch of Abuja National Stadium will be back in top shape by January, according to the Nigeria sports minister Bolaji Abdulahi.

The minister, who paid an unscheduled visit to the National Stadium on Monday, said work will start soon on the pitch which is in state of deplorable condition.

"I am not happy with the condition of the pitch and I am assuring Nigerians that it will soon be fixed to meet world standards. In two weeks time, work will start here," promised Abdullahi.

The pitch is now expected to be ready to host matches again from January.

The deplorable state of the pitch forced the Eagles to shift to Calabar their home qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

It is therefore likely that the Eagles World Cup qualifier at home against Kenya in March will be played on this Abuja Stadium pitch.