Walk into any bookstore here in Nigeria, and you're not guaranteed to find even a book about our local football. This is the reason I want you to read this post.
Are there any football books which can capture your imaginations?
Yes, of course! But not many fans are aware we have such intriguing books, about Nigerian football heroes, achievements, ground histories, biographies and life experience stories that will surely enrich your passion and knowledge of our football nomenclatures.
One thing for sure, football fans love to read about football.
Here are half a dozen books about Nigerian football, including player and fan memoirs, management studies and true life stories. Obviously, there's no way we covered all the good works about our football out there, but I highly recommend these six book to you.
1. Managing A Football Club in Nigeria - 360° Approach, written by Benson Chukwueke
About the Book
Adopting 360° management approach is to take a wholistic view of every aspect, then have a clear plan and set targets
My aim of writing this book is to inspire club owners and team managers to have a broader view of how things can be done.. and take the first step in managing their football club as a business.
It is not rocket science really, but you require good knowledge of how football is run in places like Europe and see how to apply such factors in our peculiar football landscape here in Nigeria. I believe football can be run as a business in this country.
2. Nwankwo Kanu, The Secret of His Successful Football Career - Written by Benson Chukwueke
About the Book
Some say it was just the grace of God upon Kanu's life.
Yes, it was grace. But, there must be something that he did, which propelled the grace to work for him. He must have developed true character for success.
This is what I try to explore in this book. The ideals of Nwankwo Kanu as lessons for our upcoming football players as well as anyone that desire to become famous, wealthy, and achieve lots of success in life.
This book is not Nwankwo Kanu’s biography. Though, it gives a lot of insight about his lifestyle and career success.
3. KESHI - le Grand Chemin, Written by Serge Trimpont
The excellent well-illustrated biography of Nigerian soccer superstar Stephen Keshi.
21 x 15 cms, softback, 156 pages.
4. Why Not Me - Carl Ikeme's True Life Story, written in conjunction with Paul Berry
About the Book
The book titled ‘Why Not Me’ was written by Carl Ikeme (Super Eagles Goalkeeper) in conjunction with Paul Berry, a former journalist and head of media at English Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Why Not Me is an extraordinary and inspirational story which looks at every aspect of the most important ‘save’ Ikeme has ever made and delivers a healthy sense of perspective to readers’ everyday life.
5. Nigerian Dream Team, Atlanta 96' Olympic Champions - CAF Official Review
About the Book
The exploits of Nigerian Dream Team and how they conquered the world in the men's football event of 1996 Atlanta Olympic games. The well-illustrated official review of CAF
30 x 21 cms, softback, 48 pages.
6. Super Eagles At 70, Soaring on the wings- written by Kunle Solaja
About the Book
The book chronicles the Nigerian national football team from inception in 1949 till date is a staple every football lover in Nigeria should have in their library.
Solaja captured the ever increasing effort to build a world class team, a Nigeria national team that can compete favorably at the world level and be highly regarded at the commity of footballing nations. The place of foreign coaches, from the first, John Finch to Father Tiko, Otto Gloria, Manfred Honer, Clemence Westerhof in the development of the game.
