Members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club, the foremost support base for football in Nigeria, has instituted an annual award aimed at uplifting the quality of the game in the country. Speaking at the launch of The NFSC Football Awards at the Austin Okocha’s Club Number 10 in Victoria Island during the week, President General of the supporters club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo said that the country was long overdue for more football awards to help Nigerian players take their rightful places in the continent.

“This award will surely encourage our boys to strive for the continental honours,” he said.

Dr. Ladipo expressed his disappointment at the inability of Nigerian players to return to the podium after the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke and Nwankwo Kanu had ruled the continent as the best at various times.

He insisted that with Nigeria’s population in the excess of 140m people, “there is no reason why we cannot do it the way CAF and FIFA have glamorise their awards.”

“Just imagine, the same Nigeria that was rated at number five just before the 1994 World Cup is today sitting in the 40th place on FIFA rankings. We want to reverse that ugly trend. Football is the only thing unifying us as a nation,” observed the cheer leader.

Prince Albert Okumagba, chairman of the organising committee of the award while giving a break down of the various categories said they primarily covered Nigerian footballers and personalities who have distinguished themselves in the year under reference.