Nigerian football clubs playing for nothing
As the curtains gradually fall on the 2024/2025 football season in Nigeria, it is necessary to highlight how the clubs in the different divisions of the league spend so much to execute matches without commensurate reward even when they eventually emerge champions. While the winners of other leagues in Europe and some African countries smile […]
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As the curtains gradually fall on the 2024/2025 football season in Nigeria, it is necessary to highlight how the clubs in the different divisions of the league spend so much to execute matches without commensurate reward even when they eventually emerge champions. While the winners of other leagues in Europe and some African countries smile to the banks with hefty cash rewards, Nigerian clubs go home with almost anothing other than pride and prestige.
The clubs literally play for nothing as what is offered as cash prizes are most times inconsequential when compared with what they had spent to prosecute the season. This has contributed to the clubs’ total dependence on government sponsorship – an aberration in other climes where sports, not only football, is serious business.
Although there is a slight improvement in the cash reward for the winners of the men’s elite league which is the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), it is still a far cry from what is offered to clubs in the South African league – the most lucrative football league in Africa. For instance, the current champions of the NPFL, Remo Stars have been awarded a trophy and a cash prize of N200m (about $125,474) which is a remarkable improvement on the N150m Rangers received in the previous season, yet it is nothing compared to the cash prize of $1.133m on offer in the South African Premiership.
The primary reason for the disparity in terms of cash prizes is the lack of sponsors for the NPFL. In fact, all the leagues in Nigeria do not have title sponsors. Each time board members are appointed by the NFF to oversee the leagues, they make solemn pledges to attract sponsors, but in the end, they deliver nothing.
However, without sponsors, it will be difficult to have enough money to organise the league and dish out attractive cash prizes in the end. For instance, the top leagues in South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, and Ethiopia are sponsored by Betway, MTN, startimes, and Betking, respectively. These corporate organisations invest millions of dollars in the leagues to make them financially viable.
Still on the issue of poor reward for clubs in Nigerian football, the case of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) clubs is most pathetic as the winner takes home less than 10 percent of what is earned by the NPFL champions. While the reigning champions of the men’s league, Remo Stars, have taken home N200m, Bayelsa Queens as winners of the 2025 NWFL title have received only N10m. This has already elicited condemnation from many, especially lovers of women football who feel the inequality in cash prizes between the men and women’s champions is too wide.
However, those who are crying foul must be reminded that the pitiable cash prize for NWFL winners is caused by a lack of sponsors. The case of the NPFL is slightly better because the board has managed to enter into broadcast partnerships with some organisations, thereby providing the league with little resources to deal with its financial obligations. On the other hand, the women’s league is completely dependent on the NFF. Unfortunately, the football federation itself is perpetually in need of help and cannot bring out enough money to sponsor the women’s league.
Moreover, the NFF is the one sponsoring the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nationwide League (NLO), making the situation even more complicated. So, it is a result of the heavy financial burden on the NFF that these leagues are poorly sponsored. Of course, the NFF with the annual grants from CAF and FIFA can do better, but those in charge most times put their personal interests first.
Therefore, as long as the NPFL, NWFL, NNL, and the NLO as well as the other lower divisions of the Nigerian league continue to exist without title sponsors, the clubs will continue to earn so little or nothing for participating in the leagues. It is also a pity that the clubs too have refused to help themselves.
Instead of aggressively wooing corporate organisations for sponsorship, the clubs depend largely on the monthly allocations from the government. It is an open secret that the Nigerian league is dominated by clubs that are spoon-fed by the state governments. Consequently, nobody is ready to think outside the box to generate more revenue. But it is said God helps those who help themselves.
Gusau promoted not elected WAFU B president
Before I congratulate the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on his latest accomplishment, let me correct the wrong impression that was created by some of his overzealous supporters.
Following the resignation of Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association, who left the WAFU B number one seat after his election into the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) two months ago, Gusau was naturally and mutually moved up to occupy the once vacant position.
Therefore, those who reported and are still reporting that he was elected are simply twisting the facts to misinform the public. That Gusau was promoted and not elected does not demarket or invalidate his popularity among his colleagues. So, why must someone lie to shore up his acceptance?
Having said that, I join millions of other Nigerians to celebrate this latest achievement which is not for Gusau alone but the football fraternity in Nigeria. In nearly 15 years, this is the first time that another Nigeria is occupying the top position of the regional football body. The last Nigerian who served as president of WAFU was Dr. Amos Adamu “Mr COJA” who reigned from 2008 to 2010.
Interestingly, Gusau is already talking about his mission which is grassroots football development in Nigeria and the West African region. Therefore, it is necessary to most respectfully remind him that charity begins at home. While he is doing so much to develop football elsewhere, he shouldn’t neglect Zamfara State where he hails from.
It was indeed shameful that Zamfara United failed to honour this year’s Federation Cup tie against 3SC in Abuja. It was no doubt a rude shock to many that a club from Gusau’s home state suffered a walkover. Some said the NFF president is rich enough to sponsor the club to Abuja.
In addition, he shouldn’t forget the number of years he spent as the Chairman of Zamfara State FA. If the state is steadily declining in football, he will definitely take part of the blame because he is the most influential football administrator from the state.
Therefore, my aim is not to condemn Alhaji Gusau- a man who has paid his dues in Nigerian football, but to encourage him to give priority attention to football development in his state of origin. He is doing his best but it is high time the North, particularly Zamfara State, felt the impact of his position as the NFF and now WAFU B president.