- Address: Calabar
- Country: Nigeria
- Capacity: 12,000
- Opened: 2 April 1977
- Main use: Football
- Tenants:
Extra stadium info – UJ Esuene Stadium
The UJ Esuene Stadium opened with a football match. The venue’s first game for the world championship for football players under the age of 20, currently known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup, took place on 5 April 1999. Zambia won the group-stage game after beating Honduras 4-3. Later that day, the UJ Esuene Stadium hosted its second match for the tournament which is currently known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Spain won the group-stage game after defeating Brazil 2-0. The stadium’s third match for the tournament was a group-stage match between Zambia and Spain. The game ended in a goalless draw.
A round-of-16 game and Ronaldinho
On 14 April 1999, the UJ Esuene Stadium hosted a round-of-16 match for the tournament which is currently known as the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Brazil won the game after beating Croatia 4-0 in front of a crowd of 12,000. Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, commonly known as Ronaldinho, scored twice in the match. The Brazilian football legend played professional football for Grêmio, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, Querétaro FC and Fluminense. In 2002, Ronaldinho won a FIFA World Cup title with the national football team of Brazil.
The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The UJ Esuene Stadium hosted six group-stage matches for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The first one was won by Iran after beating the Gambia 2-0. Colombia, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Türkiye also played at the UJ Esuene Stadium during the group stage of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The venue also hosted a round-of-16 game between Iran and Uruguay. The Uruguayans won the match. The last 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup game at the UJ Esuene Stadium was won by Nigeria after defeating Korea. It was a quarter-final.
