Uche rips Mbombela pitch
by Sammy Wejinya 27 January 2013, 05:04
Super Eagles attacker, Ikechukwu Uche has launched a scathing attack on the organisers of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on the state of the pitch at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.
Nigeria’s first two games at the tournament against Burkina Faso and Zambia were played at the 40,929 capacity stadium with Villareal’s Uche brandishing the turf "unplayable."
“That pitch is bad and unplayable. Even when we train on it, it’s so bad for us to play on,” Uche said.
The striker, who has netted 18 times for Nigeria in 40 appearances, said he was shocked that the pitch was given the all clear to host games in a tournament as high profile as the Afcon.
“I am shocked that such a stadium was allowed to host matches in this sort of competition. The pitch is not ideal and it affects the play of the team,” the forward said.
Uche and his teammates will have no such problems when the Super Eagles play their next game in Group C. The Nigerians will no doubt be pleased with the lush green nature of the pitch at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg for Tuesday’s confrontation against Ethiopia.
Nigeria will progress to the quarter finals with a win against Ethiopia.
