In Africa, Nigeria, to be precise, the English Premier League takes center stage. Every weekend, “viewing centers,” as they are called, are packed full of soccer fans who want to see their teams play. For many, the EPL match days are an opportunity to relax with friends and take a break from busy work schedules. Others, however, see EPL matches as more than relaxation, viewing it as a source of income. If you want to learn more about sports and soccer events, you need to follow this link.
Whatever the perspective, there’s no denying the colossal impact and followership of the English Premier League in Nigeria. In a country home to over 200 million people, the English Premier League is even more popular than the local football league.
Whereas we’ve seen soccer players make it from the Nigerian football league to other prominent soccer leagues worldwide, less fanfare is being accorded to the former these days. Through its sports ministry, the government has severely pumped money and welcomed investors to boost the local league to its glory days to scale up viewership. Such actions have seen Globacom, Mtn and other industry giants partner with the Nigerian football league.
Nevertheless, you’re more likely to spot a jersey belonging to an EPL club than Enyimba or Heartland. When you do sight jerseys of local teams, the ratio is far lower than that of English teams. EPL club jerseys and paraphernalia are brazenly worn in Nigeria as fashion items and are in high demand.
A drive through the nation’s capital city Lagos shows that there is almost a cult following top Premier League club sides. Cars, shops, and buildings have club logos, flags, and stickers plastered on, reflecting their respective sides’ soccer leanings. So how did this come to being? The EPL began to take center stage in Nigeria when soccer players from the country started to make their way to England in search of greener pastures.
Being a former British colony, Nigerians naturally flocked to The United Kingdom for opportunities, and the soccer industry wasn’t left out. Clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea gathered followers in Nigeria due to the presence of Clementine Babayaro, Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha, and Obafemi Martins. Other Nigerians who contributed to the English soccer league’s increased popularity include Yakubu “The Yak” Ayegbeni, Joseph Yobo and Mikel Obi.
As a country with a rich soccer heritage, Nigerians have excelled on the international stage several times, winning the Olympics and the u-17 World Cup. This also means that there’s a considerable amount of footballing talent in the country. To this light, many youths aspire to one day follow the footsteps of the soccer players mentioned above. This caused them to watch these players and their clubs week in, week out. In some cases, many of these players also have football academies for young Nigerians looking to pursue a sports career.
Some soccer players of Nigerian heritage currently playing in the English Premier League include:
Alex Iwobi
The Everton playmaker is nephew to Nigerian Legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. Iwobi began his soccer career at Arsenal’s academy when he was just 11. Rising through the ranks and breaking into the first team underlined the “Big 17” progress.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho rose to stardom when he and his teammates brought the U-20 World Cup title home. The striker went on to sign for Manchester City, showing he was destined for the top. He later moved to Leicester City for more playing, and he’s rewarded the management’s faith in him. “Senior Man,” as his teammates call him, is one of the more popular Nigerian players in England.
Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi is another Nigerian stalwart plying his trade at EPL side Leicester. Since joining the club after the departure of N’golo Kante, Ndidi has cemented his place as one of the league’s best defensive midfielders. Alongside “Senior Man” Iheanacho, Ndidi has helped scale up premier league following on his social media platforms.
Bukayo Saka
Although his soccer allegiance lies with the Three Lions of England, Bukayo Saka was born to Nigerian parents in the UK. The teenager is widely regarded as one to watch in the coming years. Having come through the academy’s ranks, his performances on the pitch have saved Arsenal several times.
Other soccer players of Nigerian heritage in the English Premier league include Josh Maja, Ademola Lookman, Eberechi Eze, Ola Aina, And Semi Ajayi. From the above, the reasons for EPL’s popularity in Nigeria include the following;
- The influence of several Nigerian soccer stars past and present who have featured in the Premier League.
- The English Premier League is fast-paced and competitive, reminiscent of the Nigerian style of play.
- The EPL is also seen as a means of socializing and relaxing in Nigeria. For several soccer fans, watching the EPL with friends over beer is a reoccurring highlight. This is in tandem with the uniting energy of soccer across the globe.
- The English Premier League features prominently on betting accumulators every week. Thus, many Nigerians see it as an opportunity to make money from free bet before the next workday.
- There is also the language factor, as English is the official language in Nigeria. Fans can therefore relate and quickly understand what commentators, managers and players themselves say. Time zone also plays a vital role as fans can easily watch English games without staying up late.
In conclusion, no other sports tournament tops the EPL in the Nigerian territory. From relaxation mode to pure passion and free bets, the EPL is the go-to package for many Nigerians. Since many youths and children play football, they are drawn at an early age to watching soccer on TV, subconsciously picking favorite teams based on the style of play and soccer players they have.
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