My Matchday Live Experience at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium Uyo, Nigeria

Finally, the long awaited date is here for the super eagles of Nigeria to battle with bafana bafana of south Africa in one of the qualifying matches for 2026 world cup finals.

South Africans on a revenge mission

The South African boys had promised to avenge the defeat they recently suffered in the hands of the super eagles at the just concluded AFCON.
The match was scheduled to hold on Friday 7th June 2024 by 8pm at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium, Uyo. I had to meet up with my friends around 4pm so we can sit close to each other while watching the match.

	With my friends

Long traffic and Overheating of my engine

Due to the long traffic towards the entrance of the stadium, I discovered that my car had developed high temperature and smoke were gushing out from the vehicle bonnet. When I opened it, I discovered that the problem might have been for a long time but I didn't see the signal in my dashboard. I packed it in a safe place and proceeded to enter the stadium.

		my overheating engine

Akwa Ibom State Government declared a ticket free for regular seats

Information had already gone round that the State government had declared a gate free pass to all except those who wants the VIP tickets can pay a sum of #3,000 (Three thousand naira only).
But when me and my friends got to the entrance, the security personnel refused people to enter except those that had bought ticket whether regular or VIP.

		security Made it difficult to gain access

They were even flogging people to go back. At this point I had to purchase a regular ticket of #1,000 (One thousand naira only) from the vendors around. With that I gained easy access into the stadium. Not long after I had gone in, the gate were opened for everyone to get in.

	my ticket for the match

Inside the stadium, we had to watch the both teams do their customary warm up amongst cheers and boos from the fans.
I used that opportunity to buy some plantain chips while waiting for the match proper.

		enjoying plantain chips inside the stadium

The match did not start well for the Nigerian team as the bafana bafana scored a wonderful goal in the first half.
The play from both teams were very good and the Referee and the other match officials were top notch.

		celebrating the Nigerian equalizer

However, the super eagles turned things around in the second half by equalizing the goal and improving massively in the second half.
The Referee ended the game at 1:1, the players and match officials exchanged pleasantries, every fan left to their different homes disappointed because the Eagles couldn’t get a win despite playing well in the second half.

	Both Teams during the national Anthem

After the Match

	with Mr Innocent

I grudgingly parked my car at a friend’s house close to the stadium, Mr Innocent dropped me off at my place and I am grateful to him for helping and being a friend indeed. @ngoenyi and @alli001 had wanted to go with me to the stadium, but Thank God they didn’t follow me to witness this embarrassing moment.

It was a very terrible experience for me because the super eagles couldn't win their match and also my car developed a fault but I believe everything happens for a reason.

My introductory post