History of soccer in Nigeria It is curious to learn how everything began many years ago. What does the history of football tell us about its development in Nigeria? When did locals realize how fun it was to play the game and compete at the national and international levels? We should say that soccer has been known in Nigeria for nearly a century. The country played unofficially ever since becoming a British colony. Back in the 1930s, our countrymen took part in competitions (they weren’t organized officially) with different colonies. 

Nigerian footballers William Ekong and John Obi Mikel; photo: newsweek.com The first ‘official match’ was held 69 years ago, back in the fall of 1949. That was the year when the national squad played its 1st international game. It was a nice match that brought our first victory as the result was 2-0. The two Nigerian goals reached the gates of the Sierra Leone team. The Nigerian team began playing both at home and internationally. 

It competed mainly in England. Most football players were amateur, and the names of the squads our country played with included South Liverpool, Bromley, and others. In the 1970s, Nigerian football players participated in the second All-Africa games, and it was a big success. Our country got a gold medal. In 1976-1978, the squad took part in the African Cup of Nations, and it was another success as the team got to the third place. 

The loss in the Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1988 (our country got to the finals but didn’t win), the first presence in the World Cup in 1994, the victory in the football part of 1996 Olympics (by the way, Nigeria lost in the rematch of this competition in 2008). These were the major events in the history of football in the 1980s and 1990s. The 2000s continued the development and growth of Nigeria Professional League, brought more victories to the national squad, new qualifications, and trophies. 

There were tough moments in the soccer history of Nigeria as well. For example, back in 2010, the national team got a ban from FIFA. It didn’t last forever and was eventually lifted, so the country got into the World Cup in 2014 again. By the way, that was an incredible year for Nigeria because the country placed 1st in the Unity World Cup. That match was awesome, and that victory was outstanding. 

Our country was the first from Africa to get qualifications for World Cup 2018, even though Nigeria sadly lost in the very beginning of that tournament. These days Nigeria has two main soccer teams, men’s and women’s teams, that participate in FIFA Cups and other competitions, earn prestigious awards and promote the ‘football power’ of our country. 

Nigeria Professional League Shortly known as NPFL or Nigerian Professional Football League, this is the top level of the country’s system of soccer leagues that organizes different matches. It also had numerous names in the past, from NNL (Nigeria National League) to Nigerian Premiership and Nigerian Premier League. The decision to rebrand (and rename) the country’s main league body was taken by its leaders several years ago. This is how the name NPFL was created. The body was incorporated by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 6 years ago. NFF and League Management Company (LMC) do their best to develop soccer in Nigeria, sign agreements with Football Federations of foreign countries and search for financial support for improving football opportunities within the country. 

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