Nigeria’s foremost football administrator, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has attributed the low turn-out of fans during Nigerian league matches to the non-availability of quality players.
There had been worries over the development with every effort made to change the tide failing to yield the desired result. However, the former FIFA/CAF Instructor while speaking on the issue said fans are not showing interest in watching Nigerian league matches because of the poor standard of the players.
”In those days, people troop out to watch IICC Shooting Stars because they will see Felix Owolabi, Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal and the rest, and they will enjoy the game because these were quality players that gave fans something to shout about.
When you are watching some league matches today, you will be bored to the extent of falling asleep, because you cannot find the qualities expected of footballers in these players.
”Call any football fan and ask him to mention five players in the current 3SC team. He cannot name one, but instead he would give you the full squad of Manchester United, that is to tell you how bad it is.”
Chief Onigbinde also cited the win at home at all cost syndrome as one of the reasons Nigerians are no more interested in going to the stadia to watch matches. A situation whereby you already know that an home team would win a match, what is the essence of wasting your time going to the stadium, asked the former Super Eagles handler.
