The European Leagues and Nigerian ‘Supporters’

Adebayo Kareem

This writer, like billions of other football-loving people all over the world saw the EUFA Champions League final between the then cup-holders, Manchester United Football Club of Manchester, England and the Catalan Giants, Barcelona Football Club of Spain. It was a much anticipated finals which football purists expected would validate football’s claim to being indeed the’ jogo bonito’. At the semi-final stage of the competition when the flair of Barca was on the verge of being exterminated by the sheer organisational grit, extreme work rate and tactical acumen of the Gus Hinddink-inspired Chelsea, the god of soccer heard the prayers of many neutrals, and with the aid of some dodgy refereeing decisions, Barca eventually triumphed and we had the final that made most football purists purred in anticipation of Champagne football from two sides known for their attacking footballing philosophy. The final did live up to its billing in the sense that Barca produced some scintillating football and taught the United team some lessons about football based on quick, short passing and movement, a la Arsenal Football playing style, and the 2-0 result is the closest you could see to a 2-0 nil ‘whitewash’ in a football match. Since the conclusion of the match, I have been taking the Mickey out of my multitudes of Man-United supporter-friends, all was done in good spirits and the recipients of the banter took it as such. After all, it is only a game of football. That is why one is alarmed at the report that a Nigerian, apparently a Man-United ‘supporter’, had wilfully driven his vehicle at a horde of Barca ‘supporters’, killing four of them and wounding a lot more.

According to the PM News of 28 May 2009,

‘...PM NEWS gathered that the suspect, who is now in police custody, was disappointed that his beloved club lost the UEFA Champions League final to the Spanish champions and visited his anger on the Barca fans, numbering about 20. An eyewitness said the fan had driven past the jubilating crowd, but filled with envy, suddenly made a U-turn, faced the Barcelona fans head-on and rammed his car into them at break neck speed, killing four instantly. He made an attempt to flee the scene but was apprehended and handed over to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ahoada, where the police immediately kept him in custody for interrogation.’

Astonishing, isn’t it? What are we turning into in Nigeria? What is the interest of a man in Ahoada about a match that took place thousands of miles away in Rome? What was the cultural or historical affinity this man had with a team based in Manchester that led him to commit this murderous action? I know life is cheap in our country as a result of bad roads, lack of adequate and affordable health care, unemployment-induced huge crime rates, but should we now exacerbate the situation with this mindless behaviour? These were the thoughts that raced through my mind as I digested the news report.

The grave concern is that this incident is not an isolated one. On the 24 April this year, another Nigerian, Hakeem Okerinde, who was 26 years old, collapsed and died of heart attack after ‘his team’ Man-United {again!}, drew with Everton. To show that this ailment afflicts other African countries as well, on the 6 May 2009, an Arsenal football club ‘supporter’, in Kenya apparently committed suicide aftermath of his team drubbing at the hands of Man-United {that team again!!}. The sad irony of all these is the total irrelevance these people are to the players or football club for which they were happy to kill others or themselves for. Does Ronaldo cares about some identikit nonentity of a supporter in Ahoada? Probably the only Hakeem Wayne Rooney has ever heard or seen is the fictional Hakeem in Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming to America’! I am always astonished at the level of knowledge Nigerians have of the European league football clubs. I have friends based all over Nigeria {some have never been to Europe} but are able to tell me, not only the names of the first team players of their respective ‘clubs’, but also the names of all squad players, including how much these players earn per week! I learnt some people killed cows to ‘wash’ Man-United EUFA cup victory of last year! It seems we are now all supporters of Europa United!

How did it come to this for us? In appraising this sad situation, perhaps it is pertinent to situate it in the context of the continuing degeneration of many aspect of our national life. It is an incontestable fact that Nigerians enjoy football. Football is about the only thing that unites us. Couple of decades ago, there were various avenues for Nigerians to express this interest in football. The Nigerian league was thriving and everyone, from students, to the working and middle class people could afford to go out and watch their favourite football teams. The first time this writer visited Benin was in 1986 when I went to watch Leventis United football club played NNB of Benin; and I was then a student. There were other fora like the then popular ‘Principal Cup’ competition amongst secondary school students; the Nigeria University Games, NUGA {the only and last NUGA game this writer attended was the one hosted by UI in 1986, which I particularly fondly remember because a bottle of Guinness Stout was selling for 50kobo, Guinness Plc being the official sponsor of the game!}, and the Pepsi Cola Football competition amongst Nigerian Universities. These games are now either dead or in near comatose state. Is there any inter-university competition in Nigeria these days? I remembered that Great Ife football team participated with considerable credit at the World University Game sometime in the late 80’s; I bet that the federal and state universities are too embroiled in other ‘important’ matters than bothering themselves with raising and managing a decent university football team nowadays! What is the state of the Nigerian league today? On the few occasions when I have seen Nigerian league matches on Television, I have felt sorry at the level of our football administration. Most of the playing pitches are a joke and barely playable {even the one in Abuja} and the stadia are usually bare with people staying away from there. And the quality of the football on display is such that you will rather go out and watch a painted wall getting dry!

The point I am making is that whilst one cannot legislate for or justify the mad behaviour of these misguided ‘supporters’ it has to be said that their plight has not been helped by the lack of credible local alternatives. In the absence of the league of near commensurate quality, Nigerians now turn, with the aid of Cable Television stations, to the European leagues to quench their thirst for the games they love.

This though cannot explain the actions of the mad murderous man of Ahoada. Apart from Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o and Yahya Toure, there was no Nigerian or African presence in the teams that played the final, which makes this action of crying out louder than the bereaved hard to understand. The Yorubas have a saying that goes thus: ‘Ere ni anfi omo ayo se’- meaning games are meant for entertainment. At the end of the match yesterday, both sets of players hugged each others; their minds probably now set on their new multi-million pounds contract extensions with their present clubs or transfer to another clubs where they will expect to earn even more jumbo, credit-crunch bursting salaries! Most of these players are friends and regularly meet up at various commercial adverts and most will meet up at their various holiday resorts this summer. Sadly, this fact is lost to many of the so-called ‘supporters based in Nigeria and especially the fatally inebriated and doped man in Ahoada.

Robot  # 1 | 29.05.2009 02:55

The European Leagues and Nigerian ‘Supporters’ Adebayo Kareem This writer, like billions of other football-loving people all over the world saw the EUFA Champions League final between the then cup-holders, Manchester United Football Club of Manchester, England and the Catalan Giants, Barcelona Football Club of Spain. It was a much anticipated finals which football purists expected would validate football’s claim to being indeed the’ jogo bonito’. At the semi-final stage of the competition when the flair of Barca was on the verge of being exterminated by the sheer organisational grit, extreme work rate and tactical acumen of the Gus Hinddink-inspired Chelsea, the god of soccer heard the prayers of many neutrals, and with the aid of some dodgy refereeing decisions, Barca eventually triumphed and we had the final that made most football purists purred in anticipation of Champagne football from two sides known for their attack...Read the full article.

RAHIM  # 2 | 29.05.2009 05:12

Well, you have raised a couple of issues here and i'll try to add or elaborate what in my opinion are the reasons. Football or European Football(is there anything else) as you call it, has been the longest running reality show on TV. The English Premier league has really stood out not because it is the best as being claimed by some of its fans, but by being able to market itself to the outside world. It is entertainment at its best with the accompanying tension and all. As you are well aware, in England, we really don't get to watch the games live on TV because attendance is encouraged in the variuos stadium, but it the selling of these TV rights abroad that increases its appeal and also, it is making a killing financially. In Nigeria, i have no idea of how the league works, i even don't know when the season begins and ends, moreover, with a society deep in corruption, level playing field is a no-no. Even in Europe, fan's attendance at stadia is complemented by TV revenue, even if these games were free in Nigeria, they will struggle to average 5,000 and who will be interested in buying the TV rights, it was offerred to Supersport fo a pittance but a lot of logistics hinders the broadcast of these games most times. Referee are threatened by home fans and because of unavailabilty of adequate security, they have to succumb to save life and limb. Facilities are well non-existent and the supposed umpires are more interested in lining their pockets. ( How can 200,000 usd cash grow legs and disappear from their headquarters for example). For me there is nothing to watch as per football other than European football cause for all it worths, there is no second to it. I remember driving to Leeds in 1999 and was well advised to cover up my Red devils livery because of the rivalry between the two sets of fan. Once i had my vehicle scratched and vandalised by Arsenal supporters i guess because my scarf was obviously seen inside but nothing really violent as such but it still happens a lot in Europe. I think the problems of the fans and violence is alos illustrated in the fabric of of society, people seek an opening in football as i see it but as usual we push these thing to the extreme. For example, remember the Danish cartoon crises and the violent responses in Northern Nigeria or after US attacks in Afghanistan in 2001, some fanatics in Kano felt they are best placed to respond to US aggression by slaughtering their compatraits. I hope that the bereaved can bear thier loses and these idiots that can't contain emotions should be dealt with adequately.

Anioma777  # 3 | 30.05.2009 02:51

I was glad man utd where comprehensively beaten and given a football lesson by Barcelona, but when I heard the story about that deranged imbecile who drove his vehicle into Barcelona Nigerian supporters, I thought God when will this madness stop. Football violence goes on around the world, but I am worried about the over the top support for foreign clubs in Nigeria. The sad thing is how many of these clubs have any kind of academy in Nigeria and why is it we always promote anything foreign to the detriment of our own. Last year when I was in Nigeria, I decided to travel to watch a local match between Enyimba and ocean boys. On that same day my beloved Arsenal where playing, but decided I will go and sample local football. My friends where just shaking their heads thinking what my rationale was to travel 5-6 hours to watch a local match. I thoroughly enjoyed the match. Football is just a game at the end of the day, sadly this obvious fact is lost on many football loving Nigerians. As my mother once told me "COMMON SENSE IS NOT THAT COMMON IN NIGERIA":sad:

Na lie  # 4 | 30.05.2009 06:22

Anioma777,Anioma777,Anioma777,how many times did l call you? you are even supporting arseless arsenal, why are you always in opposition,you must definitely be a Pin De Pin supporter.

afasodewu  # 5 | 30.05.2009 08:30

Na lie, Na lie abi wetin you call yourself, whats wrong with supporting the team that plays the most attractive fotball in the world? I dont know what team you support, but from the way you sound, e be like say you are a Man-Ure supporter. I only hope you will not drive a plane unto us Gooners!

Albany  # 6 | 30.05.2009 09:09

=RAHIM;359669>Well, you have raised a couple of issues here and i'll try to add or elaborate what in my opinion are the reasons. Football or European Football(is there anything else) as you call it, has been the longest running reality show on TV. The English Premier league has really stood out not because it is the best as being claimed by some of its fans, but by being able to market itself to the outside world. It is entertainment at its best with the accompanying tension and all. As you are well aware, in England, we really don't get to watch the games live on TV because attendance is encouraged in the variuos stadium, but it the selling of these TV rights abroad that increases its appeal and also, it is making a killing financially. In Nigeria, i have no idea of how the league works, i even don't know when the season begins and ends, moreover, with a society deep in corruption, level playing field is a no-no. Even in Europe, fan's attendance at stadia is complemented by TV revenue, even if these games were free in Nigeria, they will struggle to average 5,000 and who will be interested in buying the TV rights, it was offerred to Supersport fo a pittance but a lot of logistics hinders the broadcast of these games most times. Referee are threatened by home fans and because of unavailabilty of adequate security, they have to succumb to save life and limb. Facilities are well non-existent and the supposed umpires are more interested in lining their pockets. ( How can 200,000 usd cash grow legs and disappear from their headquarters for example). For me there is nothing to watch as per football other than European football cause for all it worths, there is no second to it. I remember driving to Leeds in 1999 and was well advised to cover up my Red devils livery because of the rivalry between the two sets of fan. Once i had my vehicle scratched and vandalised by Arsenal supporters i guess because my scarf was obviously seen inside but nothing really violent as such but it still happens a lot in Europe. I think the problems of the fans and violence is alos illustrated in the fabric of of society, people seek an opening in football as i see it but as usual we push these thing to the extreme. For example, remember the Danish cartoon crises and the violent responses in Northern Nigeria or after US attacks in Afghanistan in 2001, some fanatics in Kano felt they are best placed to respond to US aggression by slaughtering their compatraits. I hope that the bereaved can bear thier loses and these idiots that can't contain emotions should be dealt with adequately. Whatever it is that gives Nigerians this false sense of affinity to events that happen thousands of miles away from Nigeria, to the extent that they want to take the lives of other Nigerians around them, is beyond comprehension. @ Adebayo, the death toll has risen to 6 at the last count.

Anioma777  # 7 | 30.05.2009 09:56

@afasodewu I only hope you will not drive a plane unto us Gooners! A very good response. He might even go one further and negotiate the purchase of a mini nuclear warhead from North Korea to blow up the Emirates:D @ Na Lie Abeg leave me alone jare:D @Albany Seriously this is quite tragic. Why some people lack self control and respect for human life is mind boggling. May those 6 fans R.I.P.

Albany  # 8 | 30.05.2009 12:52

I just hope there are no Everton fans on NVS, cos i am about to roll out the drums after Chelsea's victory this afternoon.

DeepThought  # 9 | 30.05.2009 13:31

Condolensces to friends and family of the bereaved in this sensless act of madness. On another note, I can't for the life of me understand this craziness about sports. Why would anyone in their right senses chase an inflated stuffed dead animal or piece of plastic anyway? The ones that annoy me the most are the lazy silly "games" which have little or no mental component or require no metal effort, like American football, soccer and that especially stupid one where grown men bounce a ball, spend the better part of an afternoon throwing it around and jumping like madmen, Rabbits or Kangaroos at a net.!! Basketball, it is I think they call it. Madness. All of it. I think all sports fans are mildly mad anyway.

Albany  # 10 | 30.05.2009 14:50

=DeepThought;359967>I think all sports fans are mildly mad anyway. Thanks for the compliments :shake:

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