Lagos State government provides five more viewing centres as Nations Cup gets underway

LAGOS football fans will be able to watch the ongoing African Cup of Nations at five additional venues after the state government opted to increase the number of viewing venues to 20 from 15.

Today, the tournament kicks off with hosts Ivory Coast taking on Guinea-Bissau in the opening game later tonight. Tomorrow, Nigeria's tournament will get going when the Super Eagles face Equatorial Guinea and to ensure as many Lagosians as possible get to see the game, the Lagos State government has increased the number of large screens it has made available to the public.

Damilare Orimoloye, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu's special assistant on sports, said: “The idea to increase the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) viewing centres across Lagos State is in line with the Plus Agenda of the governor, which emphasises social inclusion. The idea is that our people will have the opportunity to go out and mingle while watching Afcon 2023 and people will come out to interact with other football fans.

“This project will increase bonding and networking among our people in a more friendly environment. We now have five additional centres added to the previous 15 which makes a total of 20 centres across Lagos, which will enhance more proximity so that more people will come out.”

Oluwatoyin Gafaar, the director-general of the Lagos State Sports Commission, added: “Last two years, we had 15 but this time around we are making it 20 centres and we will continue to expand. Lagos' government is ready to provide all the needed support to the people as dictated by Governor Sanwoolu as we want to increase the atmosphere of bonding in Lagos State.

“The centres will be opened at 3pm and will remain open until the last match is played. These centres are not for Nigeria’s fixtures alone but all the matches of Afcon 2023. Other incentives include feeding the spectators, as well as drinks and popcorn, among others. It’s going to be an exciting moment for football fans in Lagos."