| Stadium Name: | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium |
| Location: | Bauchi |
| Coordinates: | 10.3199°N 9.8356°W |
| Opened: | 1985 |
| Tenants: | Wikki Tourists |
| Seating Capacity: | 11,000 |
Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Bauchi, Nigeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of the Wikki Tourists. The stadium has a capacity of 11,000 and was opened in 1985 and named after Nigeria's first prime minister, Tafawa Balewa.[1] [2]
Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa Stadium was one of the 8 venues used for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria, hosting 3 matches.[3] Its first game at the tournament between Nigeria and Argentina at the group stage recorded an attendance of 11,467 people.[4]
Distinguishing features of the stadium include a world-class FIFA standard scoreboard, LED display and energy saving floodlights, closed-circuit television (CCTV) for security surveillance, and an ultra-modern media centre. It also houses an Olympic-size 10-lane swimming pool.[5]
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Attendance | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 April 1999 | 3–1 | 9,000 | Group E | |||
| 11 April 1999 | 1–3 | |||||
| 2–0 | ||||||
| 15 April 1999 | 1–1 | 8,000 | Round of 16 |
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Attendance | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 October 2009 | 1–2 | 11,467 | Group A | |||
| 5 November 2009 | 1–1 | 11,589 | Round of 16 | |||
| 8 November 2009 | 1–1 | 11,532 | Quarter-final |