In tracing its growing popularity within the nation, Nigerian football can be traced back to football's implementation in schools, particularly in Caliber. From there, it would only spread throughout Nigeria. Despite an eventual civil war, the eventual creation of the Enugu Rangers post-civil war would only continue to build the sense of community Nigeria would become known for.
Polling shows the majority of Nigerians watch international and domestic football. Due to the number of Nigerian players in the English Premier League and the fact that Nigeria is an English-speaking country, the majority of Nigerians support an English club. The most popular football clubs in Nigeria are Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.[9] Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are also popular among Nigerians.[10]
History
Football was first introduced to Nigeria by the British at the start of the twentieth century.[11][12] Primarily, its addition and presence came firstly in the display of schooling. Having been brought to Nigeria, specifically Caliber and Lagos at first, it was the development here where the eventual very first football game would then be recorded on June 15, 1904, at an elite school in Caliber. [13] The school, Hope Waddell Training Institution, would see the attended elite students often face off against docked sailors on a local football field.
This would eventually lead to the creation and implementation of the Beverly Cup in 1906, known as one of the very first soccer tournaments contested in the western part of Africa. [13]
The spread of football to Nigeria in a general sense occurred through the works of Christian Missionaries as well as nations seeking to colonize [14]; what made schools play a role in the spreading of the sport was the physical growth missionaries wished to see in children. It was a pastime to keep them fit while also educating them about the inner workings of Catholicism, teaching them about discipline and boosting morale. From it, the spread of football would continue amongst schools, a direct result of the involvement of alumni from Hope Waddell. This spread would be seen in the area of Lagos. [13]
Around the time of the 1950s, in Africa, many nations began to partake in nationalist movements where they protested colonial power. In Nigeria, football gave citizens a sense of national pride and inspired them to achieve political freedom.[15] An individual named Nnamdi Azikiwe played a critical role in helping Nigeria achieve its freedom from Britain.
Peter Alegi, associate professor of history at Michigan State University, states, "Nnamdi Azikiwe emerged as a key figure connecting sports and politics in the late colonial period" (37).[16] Throughout his life, Azikiwe was angered by the racism and racial segregation that existed in sports.[17] There were two particular events in his life that motivated him to finally take action. The first event was when "he was denied the opportunity to compete in a track-and-field event at the 1934 Empire Games because Nigeria was not allowed to participate" (Alegi 39).[18] The second event was when his application to join a tennis club in Lagos was rejected because of his Igbo background.[19] These events resulted in Azikiwe creating the Zik's Athletic Club (ZAC) in Lagos in April 1938. This sports club had facilities and equipment for many sports such as football, boxing, and tennis. The club quickly became a symbol of African self-determination and nationalism in Nigeria.[20]
Throughout the course of World War II, Azikiwe continuously criticized the British for fighting in a war for democracy, yet at the same time, oppress Africans from self-determination.[21] To spread his ideas and popularize the game of football, Azikiwe went on numerous tours across Nigeria during the war. He also established a nationalist newspaper, the West African Pilot, in 1937. This newspaper popularized the game of football in Nigeria and made it a crucial aspect of the nation's identity. It helped establish a greater sense of community within Nigeria and developed pan-African sentiments. The paper also played a critical role in raising attention about social consciousness. Through its coverage of football, the Pilot was able to achieve its mission. By the end of the war, football had become a cornerstone of Nigeria's identity.[22] On October 1, 1960, Nigeria finally gained its independence from Britain. This year also saw Nigeria become a member of FIFA.[23] Nnamdi Azikiwe went on to become the first President of Nigeria in 1963.
Nigeria-Biafra War
Taking place several years after the gaining of Nigerian independence, The Nigeria-Biafra War refers to the internal conflict between the republic of Nigeria and the republic of Biafra (collectively made of Igbo). After the Igbo faced prosecution in the Northern part of Nigeria, they eventually split off from them, declaring independence in a new nation under the name Biafra. Football players were also subject to the impact of this war, Igbo players fleeing East due to a renewed fear. [24]
Notable players such as Godwin Achebe, Luke 'Jazz Buchana' Okpala, and John 'Wheeler' Nwosu were just some who fled to the East out of fear. Even after the war, they remained there, Nwosu winning the Nigerian Cup with the Lagos Railways (1964), and Achebe and Okpala winning the same cup with the Lagos ECN. [24]
The war took on a meaning beyond making a claim to land, instead being about how the nation of Nigeria should go about rebuilding and redeveloping. [25]
Football, in the fight for their independence, was used as a form of resistance and defiance for Nigeria mainly because of the sense of community and unity it provided to the people. Such was a similar case in the Nigeria-Biafra War, certainly in its aftermath. Football (and other sports) was utilized in the course of the rebuilding nation; not only was it an excellent source of leisure time, but it also once again contributed to the re-development of the community.
Enugu Rangers and their contributions to Nigerian Football
Specifically, the Enugu Rangers played a significant and credible role in the reconstruction process, especially given that its birth came at the end of this civil war. Spearheaded by Jerry Enyeazu and Nwadiegwu, both majors of the Biafran army,[26] it was formed in 1970, composed of young Biafran men. In the wake of the war ending in 1970, it was thus a strong symbol for the Igbo people; from hope to unity, this club embodied the desires of the people to rediscover their identity and to rebuild accordingly. [27]
Enugu Rangers contributed heavily in sport development in Nigeria by providing a platform for young players from South Nigeria to play and progress their professional careers. The Enugu Rangers also partnered with FC Schaffhausen, opened up a pathway for Nigerian players to play for clubs from around the world.[28] They are one of the few team that can keep up with the modern football standard, the Rangers have a strong financial sustainability by securing a long-term sponsorship deal with Afrinvest and Noctra Tractors. Through these funds, they revitalized their facility infrastructure and establish a strong social media present as a way to engage with their fans.[28]
At the African Cup of Nations in 1980, the captain of the Enugu Rangers led that national team to victory. That victory continued to strengthen the sense of union within Nigeria.
Corruption in Nigeria Football
The Nigerian Football Federation has faced many allegation of financial mismanagement, bribery, favoritism, and political interference. The unethical practices also come from the players where they bribed officials and national coaches to be picked for the national team. These acts didn’t just lose trust from the fans but also deter sponsorship and investments due to them not wanting to be associated with a league that faced many scandals and poor management.[29] One factor that allowed corruption to persist in the Nigerian Football ecosystem is the undercover of the press. Despite there are more than 140 corruption stories being reported, most of them are placed on the inside page, and they were reported as isolated scandals rather than a systematic issue within the Nigerian Football Federation.[30]
Nigeria's best performances at the World Cup are the 1994,[33]1998,[34] and 2014[35] where they reached the second round. Nigeria also won the first-ever Unity World Cup in 2014.
In 1985, the under-17 football team went to China and conquered the world in the first ever FIFA U-17 World Championship. The victory took Nigerian youth football to a high pedestal, setting the stage for a respect of Nigeria in international competitions. The under-20 team went to Saudi Arabia for the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship and lost narrowly in the final to Portugal. The team pulled off the now-legendary "Miracle of Damman", erasing a 4–0 deficit to the Soviet Union to tie and then win the match by penalties. In 2007, the under-17 squad were crowned world champions in South Korea for the 3rd time. Nigeria hosted the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
In the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the Nigerian men’s football team became the first ever African nation to achieve a gold medal in football. They became known as the “Dream Team” due to this accomplishment. The journey to get there wasn’t easy, as the team faced many financial and administrative challenges, and many players had to make sacrifices to be able to play. [38]
The tournament started off rough with a loss to Brazil, but they were able to bounce back and advance into the knockout stage. In the quarter-finals, Nigeria defeated Mexico 2 - 0, then a semi-final rematch with Brazil. Nigeria came from 3 - 1 down to win 4 - 3 through a golden goal. In the final, they went up against Argentina, a football powerhouse. They fell behind twice, but were able to tie it up through a goal by Daniel Amokachi. Then, Emmanuel Amunike scored a late winner to secure a 3 - 2 victory and the gold medal.
This achievement had a great impact on Nigerian and African football, improving the country's reputation and inspiring a generation of players. Many players on the Dream Team, including Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Taribo West, went on to have successful careers. However, years later, some players expressed disappointment that the promises that the government made after the victory were not fully honored. [38]
To this day, Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic football gold medal remains one of the best achievements in all of sports, creating the beginning of a new era in Nigerian and African football.
Women’s Football in Nigeria has had several great accomplishments in recent years. The national team is considered one of the best, if not the best, women’s football teams in all of Africa. They have won 11 out of 13 championships from 1991 to 2018 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. They are the only African nation to have competed in all nine Women’s World Cups, and the only African nation to reach the quarter finals. Despite having major successes, these women continue to fight for equal treatment.
This dates all the way back to colonial times when Britain was in control. Prior to British rule, Nigeria was a society where the roles of men and women were not strict. However, this changed when the British arrived and brought their own set of beliefs, causing labor to be divided based on gender. [39]
It wasn’t until the 1930s where women were first recorded playing the sport. The British people did not like the idea of women playing football, and in 1950 they stated that they didn’t want women playing on any ground. [39] These women didn’t give up despite this setback and kept on pursuing football. Clubs began to form by the 1970s, and the Youth Sports of Federation of Nigeria created a national competition in the 1980s. All of this leads up to the success of the Women’s Nigerian Football team today.
Although achieving great success throughout the years, there are still issues with the treatment that Nigerian women are given. One of those being unequal pay. The captain of the national team, Oparanozie, publicly spoke out about this problem, which resulted in her being removed as captain and left out of the squad. Countless protests and boycotts have happened since then.
Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria, and most people in Nigeria watch international football and support a club in a domestic league.
A 2024 poll conducted by NOI Polls found that 67% of Nigerians watch football, and 86% of Nigerians watched Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria lost 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the Final. By far the most popular league in Nigeria is the English Premier League, which is followed by 59% of Nigerians, while the local Nigerian Premier League is followed by 34% of Nigerians. The same poll found that 28% of Nigerians listed Chelsea as their favourite football club, followed by Manchester United (23%) and Arsenal (21%). The poll found that Chelsea was the most popular club in every geopolitical zone except for North East (where Arsenal are the most popular club) and North West (where Manchester United are the most popular club).[9]
123Alegi, Peter (February 14, 2010). African Soccerscapes: How a Continent Changed the World's Game. Ohio: Ohio University Press. pp.20–21. ISBN978 0 89680 472 2.
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