Make your research.
Everyone Nigeria football player you would interview is likely to tell you he seek
to continue his football career abroad, preferably Europe. The quest to migrate
out of Nigeria to seek a more alluring professional football career abroad is alarming.
It's quite a
lofty dream. FootballEye says only 5% of players that traveled abroad in search
of a club do succeed. but many more still have an unquenchable desire to travel.
Fraudsters are now taking advantage of the opportunity to defraud some naive players.
Funny enough,
some of these players end up playing in some obscure countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Fuji island... with frightening reports of untold hardship.
Many of them get stranded without money to eat or even purchase flight ticket back
to Nigeria. Let us look at some of the reasons for such desperation by Nigerian
players
1. Popularity
Of Foreign Football: With the advent of satellite TV and the broadcast of foreign
football into Nigerian homes may be a key factor that brought about this yearning
to go abroad.
The broadcast
of English Premier League (EPL), Spanish La Liga, Italian Seria A...has made Europe Football so popular in Nigeria,
that most aspiring players perceive a more alluring career possibilities in these
leagues.
2, Poorly Organized
Nigeria football League: In contrast, Nigeria football leagues has been largely
politized, with deadly corrupt practises. Players aren't treated like professionals,
but are relegated to the low life.
The shabby administration
of the leagues has largely discouraged both fans and sponsors from active patronage
- stadia are empty in most NPFL the games.
3. Poor Remuneration
in Nigeria Football: football clubs are not managed like business in Nigeria. Most
clubs wait for their governor or private owners to disburse funds at their own discretion.
Moreover, misappropriations
and shape practices has affected how players are compensated. Players are not paid
sign on fees, salaries or bonuses as agreed. Most players are well discouraged in
the Nigerian league.
4. Popularity
Of Nigeria Players Abroad: Playing for foreign clubs, especially in Europe, has
brought so much fame to the few Nigerian players that made it abroad.
They are some
sort of model to other players. Players like Nwankwo kanu, JJ Okocha, Findi George,
Sunday Oliseh, Taribo west and most recently, Mikel obi, Obafemi Martins, Osaze
Odemwingie.. are so popular around the world.
5. Nigerian Players
Abroad Make So Much Wealth: It is far more lucrative to play in Europe and many
leagues round the world. The few Nigerian players that made it to clubs abroad return
back with so much wealth, which has helped eradicate poverty in their families.
Taiye Taiwo,
perhaps one of the richest Nigerian football player, may have changed the fortune
of his family, who was once very poor.
6. Coaches Preference
For National Team Call Ups: National team coaches seem to prefer foreign professionals
than the home based players. In cases of major competitions such as world cup, Olympics
or the nations cup, more foreign based professionals are called up to the national
team to possibly take the place of home based players. Even where the home based
players were vital for the qualification of the team.
