It is no gainsaying the fact that football is unarguably Nigerians number one sport. Not only that, the passion with which an average Nigerian talks about football and its politics would left one wondering if there’s no other sports in the country. It has also been objectively observed that when Nigeria is playing (either in a competitive game or not), Nigerians are always united. Meaning, no politics, tribe or religion can take aways the unity that football brings to the nation especially when Nigeria wins a game. It is with this premise that WHERE To Print VOX POP Team went out to town to find out which football team (local or international – though none of our respondent declare for any of team in the local league) they are rooting for to clinch their local league – your guess is as good as ours. Read excerpt of their responses below:
SAMUEL OSEHA (MACHINE OPERATOR AT BAPTIST PRESS, IBADAN)
“I’m a fan of Manchester united (The Red Devil). I must confess our current position in the Premier League is not satisfying. Manchester United Team is actually trying their best it’s just the Coach Jose Mourinho that is messing things up in the squad. Our new – sign on; Pogba (most expensive player in the world) that was bought from Juventus is not playing in his best position that he plays at his former club. Pogba is a defensive midfielder but our new coach plays him in the attacking role which is not his best position. Jose Mourinho plays him forward to assist Ibrahimović in our previous matches especially our match against Liverpool.
Honestly, I wouldn’t say Manchester United has any chance of winning any major trophy this season with the way our matches so far have panned out though I really pray we do. The only consolation I think we can get is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season as I think Mourinho has his own targets which must be met and qualification for the European competition is definitely one of his targets but if we fail to, I suggest Mourinho should be sacked but Pogba should be given a chance to prove his worth and the reason for being the most expensive footballer in the world.”
OLADIMEJI DAVIES (MANAGER AT 3RD EDGE, SHOMOLU – LAGOS)
“Oh yes!! I’m an Arsenal fan and I believe this is the year for Arsenal. Last season, we were meant to clinch the British Premier League (BPL) title but we messed up along the way but this season will be different. You can see the class in the team; the determination to win and let me mention we thrashed Chelsea 3-0. Yes, we have this jinx synonymous with us to always do well at the early stage of the Premier league and then start losing matches from January when it really matters but I don’t see that happening this season. Although, I must not fail to mention that we need to adjust and implore our Coach Arsene Wenger, to correct some errors in the team and the fans should be more supportive plus our new signings too should be encouraged to do more.”
GBENRO OLADIPUPO (MACHINE OPERATOR) AT IBADAN
“I support Chelsea Football Club of England. Chelsea is not playing any European competition this season which I think is an advantage for us to concentrate more on the Premier League. Chelsea is currently among the leading team in the premier league table this season. Although, I wouldn’t predict any team to win the league presently because of the tempo of the BPL. Last season, we all thought Tottenham or Arsenal will clinch the trophy but we saw how a lower cadre team Leicester City claim the trophy. Chelsea now has a new coach, Antonio Conte who I must confess is doing excellently well but mustn’t take his eyes off the game. The only team I see fighting for the league alongside Chelsea is Arsenal, Arsenal is the only club I think can win but looking at their consistency every season, they perform well at the early stage of the campaign but always fail to finish off what they started but we can be in for a surprise and see more consistency from that team unlike what is accustomed to them.”
FELIX LEPE (ADMIN OFFICER AT DAMOND PRINT NIG. LTD, LAGOS)
“I support Manchester United. I have been a fan of this club for a while now or should I say I started supporting the team in 2002. There was this final match between Man U and Bayern Munich. Man U came from a goal down to win the match 2-1 that was when I started supporting them (Manchester United). I just like the winning spirit in the team. Coming back to the Man U of 2016, as a genuine fan I’m not happy about the fact that we haven’t won the majors matches we should win this season. Man Utd has been struggling since the day Sir. Alex Ferguson retired. However, I hope things change in the team and I want to believe with time, Mourinho will come to understand Man U playing pattern and make necessary adjustments.
To be honest, at the moment I believe personally that Pogba has a long way to go, he is still an ongoing project so to speak. He is not at his best and he has not really given value for the amount that was used to purchase him. If things continues this way, I don’t see us winning any trophy this year, except our form changes and something drastic happens. I think a defender, creative playmaker like Neymar, attackers like Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal and Luis Suarez of Barcelona will help.”
TOBI OWOLABI (SORD MACHINE OPERATOR AT BAPTIST PRESS, IBADAN)
“The football team I support is Real Madrid Football Club in Spain (Galacticos). The current form of Real Madrid is giving assurance of us lifting the Spanish La Liga though Cristiano Ronaldo form has not been impressive since the start of this season to me but I believe that is age telling on him. He just signed a new contract extending his stay till 2021, that is good news for us as our best striker is not leaving anytime soon but I believe a new striker for reinforcement will do the team good because Karim Benzema is not a versatile player and Morata does not possess enough experience, Vazquez is not a Madrid type of player. We need a sharp, decisive and fast striker. As for Ronaldo, his injury is still affecting his playing time and now will be a good time to orchestrate our attack through Bale who poses to be a lethal striker in front of goal. Real Madrid won the league two seasons ago and I believe we can do it again as our major rival Barcelona are not consistent with wining and this can help us secure maximum points in lifting the Spanish La Liga trophy. I know it’s still too early to say who will lift the trophy but let’s see what happens in January, by then I believe it will be clear who might win the league.”
HAKEEM IBRAHIM (INDEPENDENT PRINTER AT SHOMOLU – LAGOS)
“Honestly, I cannot pinpoint the reason behind my love for Chelsea. Up Blues!!! Or should I just say my love for colour blue was a force behind it. Most Nigerians support the London club side because of some of our country-men playing in the team – Mikel Obi, Victor Moses but I have been a fan even before those players were signed.
Chelsea started this season slowly and they lost some matches that they should have gotten maximum point from. I know Arsenal fans will all be ranting on how they won Chelsea 3-0 but I believe “Egun to ba ko ko jo, iran loma wo keyin” (A Masquerade that dances first will still have to look as other Masquerades takes the floor) Arsenal will see a different Chelsea in the return leg match. Chelsea I believe with the form they started with are not title contenders but the Chelsea team I can see in the last 5 matches is ready to challenge for the BPL crown. Top four is a must for Chelsea to qualify for European competition next season but if they also maintain their current form, then the league is ours.”
OLASUMBO AKINBODE (FINISHING DEPARTMENT, BAPTIST PRESS)
“Arsenal is my team anyday, any time… Up Gunners!! Gunners for Life!! Although I don’t watch their match often but I support them all my life. Yes it’s been over ten years we last won the league but I’m very optimistic that this is our season as we will lift the BPL trophy against all odds.”
