The approval of Remo Stars Stadium by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host Rangers International’s home matches in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League has renewed calls for improved football infrastructure across Nigeria. The Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Limited, Ebi Egbe, said the development underscores the urgent need for more FIFA and CAF-standard football pitches nationwide to support clubs and national teams competing on the international stage. It will be recalled that Rangers International were forced to adopt the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne after the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu failed to meet CAF’s requirements for hosting continental matches. The Remo Stars Stadium, constructed by Monimichelle Sports Nigeria, features what the company describes as Nigeria’s only FIFA-certified all-weather hybrid synthetic football pitch and is one of the few stadiums approved by CAF for international club competitions. Egbe described CAF’s decision as a significant milestone for Nigerian football, saying it demonstrates the value of sustained investment in modern sports infrastructure. He said quality playing surfaces are essential to improving the standard of football in Nigeria and helping clubs compete effectively in CAF competitions. Egbe welcomed ongoing upgrades at the Sardauna Memorial Community Stadium in Gusau, Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi and Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, expressing confidence they would increase the country’s number of CAF-approved venues. “For Nigerian football to compete consistently at the highest level, quality playing surfaces must become the norm rather than the exception. Consistency on the pitch is not a luxury, it is a competitive advantage,” Egbe stated.
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