Football in Nigeria
Categories: Sports
Football in Nigeria
Football is now a world wildly recognized type of sports with millions of fans reunited to follow its latest news. It would be right to say that Nigerians proved themselves on the football field to the extent where this discipline became a national sport.
Famous footballers
Nigeria wouldn’t own the status of the top-ranked football nation without its outstanding athletes. Actually Nigeria National Team is famous for its players with mesmerizing skills such as forward Rashidi Yekini, midfielder Sunday Oliseh, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, right-winger Finidi George and an attacking midfielder Austin Okocha also known as Jay-Jay.
It also deserves to be mentioned that Nigerian fans always stay supportive in relation to their favorite teams by regularly visiting both international leagues and local friendly tournaments and by placing their bets. Eventually betting is now a part of watching matches, so all newcomers are welcomed and only need to click to read about football betting in Nigeria.
History of soccer in Nigeria
Football was firstly introduced to Nigeria during colonization of Britain which resulted in negative and positive consequences in equal proportions for natives’ culture and industry. More importantly, this brought a brand-new kind of entertainment called “football” which will lately find a place in the heart of locals. In 1932, professional footballers founded country’s the first-of-its-kind Lagos District Amateur Football Association, replaced by the Nigerian Football Association lately in 1945.
Additionally, soccer was crucial for the struggle against racism inasmuch as Nnamdi Azikiwe started a football club named Zik’s Athletic Club and aiming to raise patriotism and national pride among indigenous people. Afterwards this sport became an inseparable part of Nigeria’s image and Nnamdi Azikiwe was elected as country’s president for his contribution. As soon as Naija obtained its independence, it became an official member of Federation International of Football Association.
Nigeria’s rich history of this sport may also have influence on other countries’ view on football as a revolutionary game, which brought all kind of individuals together even during World War II. Therefore, football truly deserves to be associated to Nigeria’s national symbol.