National Teams
Robert Onyeani laments poor facilities, lack of sponsorship in Nigerian football
By Samuel Ahmadu
Chairman of Ahudiyannem Football Club, Dr. Robert Daniel Onyeani, has blamed inadequate facilities and lack of corporate sponsorship for Nigeria’s continued struggles to develop football to global standards.
Onyeani, an Abiriba businessman and philanthropist popularly known as Roco, said Nigerian football is handicapped by dilapidated stadia and the absence of private sector support.
“One of the problems we have is facilities. They are not up to standard in Africa,” he said.
“In Nigeria, we can’t boast of three FIFA standard stadia. What about the National Stadium in Lagos, UJ Esuene in Calabar, or Lekan Salami in Ibadan? They are not up to standard. We have stadiums but we are not fixing them.”
He pointed to Morocco as a model for progress, where the U-17 and U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, U-17 Women’s World Cup, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and CAF Women’s Champions League have all been staged because of modern infrastructure.
The Ahudiyannem chairman also decried the absence of sponsorship in Nigerian football, particularly in the women’s league.
“When we start developing our facilities, that is when our football will see better light. The little we can do this side is to improve our facilities. When we start doing it, it will help our players,” Onyeani stressed.
“I don’t know why we have big corporate companies, none are ready to identify with the NWFL. The women’s league in Ghana has sponsors everywhere. The same with Côte d’Ivoire. I feel worried about it and it is disturbing,” he said.
He warned that without sponsorship, neither the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) nor the league bodies can make meaningful impact.
“I have to thank the NFF and NWFL. They have done their bit. But when you don’t have sponsors, there is nothing you can do. Even preparation for the World Cup needs corporate sponsorship to support whatever the Federal Government is doing.
“I don’t think we have sponsors for World Cup Qualifiers, and we are praying for other teams to lose before we qualify. When will this change?” he asked.
