Good morning!
The unique aspect of this league lies in its blend of predictability and surprise—while results often follow an expected pattern, one or two curveballs, such as Ikorodu United snagging a point in Ibadan, are just as likely.
Fans from that part of the country give South West Derbies a lot of social media hype and deservedly so. Teams from that part of the country have a number of non official outlets that fuel and fan engagement. They do a pretty decent job – the games however, fail to match the professionalism the hype presents.
So Ikorodu United battled for a point in Ibadan – like Enyimba did at the start of the season, and the home fans decided the visitors could use some pummeling.
Allegedly things were destroyed – varying accounts from different sources, but everyone seems to agree that the visitors were jailed in their dressing room for over an hour after the game. Interestingly, this story is a very familiar tale in the Nigerian League.
Visiting teams easily cry foul play but I do not think there is any team that hasn’t pulled such behavior especially when results don’t go their way at home. Few weeks ago, we were at Ikorodu United and I remember that video of Joseph Atule with an altercation with Ikorodu fans and missiles were petted.
I recall a chaotic day at my adopted second home, Uyo, back in 2015, when Akwa United sent thugs to bully and intimidate match officials—an ordeal that saw me attacked and shoved away from the area, with one of them even demanding I leave the stadium. I just stood there smiling and composing, in my mind, the scathing report I was going to write.
Later that evening, the club chairman came to see me. He said he was under intense pressure. Akwa United needed to stay in the top flight and everyone was doing all they could to get points on board. I asked him – How does such behavior, capable of getting you punished, points deduction and likely banished to a neutral ground help you retain your league status?
In certain climes, people have even shot at referees. One time in Kano, a policeman was killed during a post game clash after a Kano Pillars v Enyimba game. Whatever became of that officer’s family, we may never know.
What is baffling is that the issue of security is usually discussed at prematch meetings, all to no serious implementation. Everyone clearly needs to do more. No football game, regardless of what is at stake is worth anyone’s life.
Nigeria is a country currently plagued with so many problems and football games are supposed to be entertainment spaces where families and fans can enjoy a couple of hours. We all need to commit to a safe, comfortable setting. And this is for all stakeholders involved. Otherwise, what’s the point?
