The Nigeria Professional Football League is currently on a four-week break to allow Rivers United to clear their backlog of fixtures, caused by their participation in the CAF Confederation Cup.
While ensuring a level playing field by completing the fixtures is commendable, the lack of planning that necessitates a four-week break is disappointing.
This highlights the subpar administration that has long plagued domestic football in Nigeria.
While the administrators, mostly square pegs in round holes have continually painted a grim picture suggesting domestic football is a dead wood not capable of bringing any good fruit, the recent exhibition match between Jarus FC and Twitter FC has sparked a lot of excitement and conversation in the Nigerian football community.
Invaluable lessons
Beyond entertainment, this event showcases how local football in Nigeria can be revitalized.
Firstly, the match which was organised at very short notice highlights the existing culture and passion for football in Lagos, a city with a rich history of football enthusiasts.
Just as the iconic National Stadium in Surulere which for long was the home of football in Nigeria was always packed-full each time the national team played any match, the Campos Square was also filled to capacity for the Jarus FC and Twitter FC contest.
This clearly demonstrates the love for football in Lagos.
Beyond the national team , the cult followership enjoyed by legacy football clubs like Stationery Stores, Julius Berger, Leventis United, and even new clubs like Sporting Lagos highlights a potential for growth and development.
By tapping into this existing passion and providing the right infrastructure and support, administrators can unlock football’s potential not just in Lagos, but across Nigeria’s football-crazy cities like Ibadan, Kano, Warri and Aba among others .
Collaboration is Key
Secondly, Jarus FC’s ability to secure partnerships with the private sector and start-ups showcases the power of collaboration and innovative thinking, bridging the funding gap and bringing fresh ideas to revamp the sport.
Our football administrators can learn from this example and explore new avenues for sponsorship and support.
Reaching a Global Audience
The #JarusFCvsTwitterFC match, live-streamed to over 100,000 viewers, showcased the power of digital reach.
For too long, the NPFL and the other lower leagues have been shrouded in obscurity, denying players a global platform.
Experts believe the possibilities are limitless if the administrators do the right thing. By leveraging social media and digital platforms, Nigerian football can connect with a wider audience, fostering stronger fan engagement.
Larger picture
Most importantly, the #JarusFCvsTwitterFC match demonstrates that fans are willing to own and support local football if the right steps are taken.
This is a clear message to our football administrators that with the right investment, infrastructure, and support, Nigerian football can thrive.
The #JarusFCvsTwitterFC match offers valuable insights for Nigerian football administrators, highlighting the need to embrace innovation, collaboration, and fan engagement to revitalize our football culture.
This can help unlock Nigerian football’s full potential, which could become a significant contributor to the larger economy, just like the Premier League does for the UK economy.
