State of Football in Nigeria - What We Should Expect in 2022

 

The highpoints of 2022 will be African Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January, World Cup African Play-off in March, international friendlies and FIFA World Cup in Qatar by November 2022.

Afcon/World Cup

Already, there's fire on the mountain; as cross session of Nigerian fans and Ex-Internationals has discredited Gernot Rohr over the poor performance or I would rather say the lack of any significant improvement being the Head Coach of the Nigeria national team since 2016. 

Losing at home to minor footballing countries like Central African Republic in a World Cup qualifier this year in Lagos was the height of embarrassment for the Technical committee of NFF. 

Although, Nigeria managed to top group D and are still-in for the final Play-off in March. This session of fans are not convinced, critically looking at the Super Eagles and wondering if Gernot Rohr can really deliver the World Cup ticket with the recent shambolic performances. 

Super Eagles have been playing like clueless bunch of Secondary school boys without intensity, pattern, tactical or creativity. Their games were more of an eye sore. For instance, to watch the Nigerian team threw away a 4-0 lead to draw with Sierra Leone in Afcon qualifier match here in Lagos. It's like Rohr doesn't have anything more to offer. 

To be fair, despite the shambolic performances of the team, Rohr hasn't failed yet in any of his contractual mandate to qualify Nigeria for Afcon and the World Cup. He has managed to eke out results and we should give it to him. 

2022 will be such a footballing year that rocks, especially if Nigeria eventually qualifies for the World Cup, all eyes will be on Qatar. 

Sponsorship

In every world Cup year, all attention goes to football and corporate brands will be taking advantage to roll out football related advertising campaign. So many corporate brand will be clamoring to sponsor the national team or use images of Super Eagles stars in their top of the year promotional campaigns. 

Media

If Nigeria eventually qualifies for the world Cup, their will also be clamoring for World Cup TV broadcast rights. Companies like Multichoice, StarTimes will push for live broadcast tights of both Afcon and world Cup. 

Of course, there will be a lot of subscriptions. For instance, Multichoice is planning to have 100% increase of subscribers by the end of first quarter of 2022.

Social Media

Social media will be at the hub of 2022 with several VPN, TOT tv streamings of the World Cup and football content providers (bloggers and publishers) will enjoy all the spotlights. 

Sports Betting

The sports betting industry will continue and take centre stage. With bettors staking more on football and staking between Premier League and Afcon outcomes. 

Football Academies:

The attention football get every world Cup year inspire lots of kids in Nigeria to want to take up football. So more kids will be coming to enroll in academies and other youth clubs. 

Nigeria Leagues

Already, some top European teams are making moves to stop their African players from participating from Afcon in January. 

Nigerian leagues will be relegated to the background as interest will be fully turned to Afcon and the world Cup. There will be several disruptions of the leagues. Already, the NPFL hasn't been able to resume its 2021/22 season since last season ended four months ago. 

Omicron Covid Spread in Africa

The Covid - Omicron valiant may spread next year in Africa and affect the number of contingents, spectators to Afcon. And it will be for those who has taken the mandatory vaccinations. It means more internet streaming and television viewership during Afcon. 

It may be a little difficult to predict what will happen in Qatar. It maybe a first World Cup without fans or with restricted spectators