Never In history has the local game received so little an attention from administrators as now. You would hardly find a football fans in Nigeria who does not identify with one Club in Europe.
This piece is predicated by the rot in the home game occasioned by empty seats at match venues primarily due to a general lack of interest from the fans.
The European game has so affected the system that even the administrators whose action or inaction are the cause of this apathy even have their own teams which they will give anything to have a glimpse of every weekend. Nothing in their conscience has ever awoken them to the fact that the League in Nigeria can be made as interesting as the English game if the will exist.
I am not in any way suggesting that the European games should be banned in our media. But I am concerned at the passion which Nigerian place entirely on a foreign game especially the English Premier League. You only need to visit a beer parlor any where in Nigeria to understand what I am talking about.
Imagine that while most Nigerian girls are indifferent about the game, the few who have developed interest, know more footballers and their histories than players in the Super Eagles.
What could be done to improve this situation? The South African League is also African, Not endowed with the quality of the Nigerian Football League yet its story is different in many perspectives. Football in South Africa receives adequate attention from the government and despite their passion for the English game; it hasn’t taken away the fans interest in the local game.
I am forced to ponder. If a situation arises, and Nigeria happens to be playing a nations cup Final at the on the same day and at the same time with one of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U etc. playing in the Champions league Final, which of these matches will Nigerians opt for. Let’s hear you at the Forum
