Despite Nigeria failing to qualify for the World Cup next year, the Super Eagles booked their place in AFCON with ease. The hype around the African tournament has been at all-time highs, with Nigeria among the favorites to win.
The digital revolution in the country in recent years has helped to fuel this hype, with more people than ever engaging with football online. People can stream matches easily, and there are even related entertainment options that give people the football bug.
Mobile Streaming Is Reshaping How Nigerians Watch Football
Part of the recent spread of online access in Nigeria is thanks to the widespread availability of mobile devices. It’s estimated that 140 million people in the country will have smartphones by the end of the year, and most people will use them for social media and entertainment.
This gives Nigerian football two main pathways to garnering mass attention, with social media being one of the most popular options for promoting football content. Along with shortform clips of Nigerian games on Facebook and Instagram, people in the country can use YouTube for longer highlights and punditry.
One of the common themes of modern football engagement in the country is the ability to dip in and out, and for people to enjoy it in different ways. There’s no longer as much need for fans to sit and watch full games together on television, and people now have the option to engage in the ways that are best suited to them.
The best thing about mobile is that it allows for viewing from anywhere, meaning that people can get hyped about AFCON with news and short videos on their commute to work or during their lunch breaks.
Nigeria’s Online Entertainment Sector Also Contributing to Hype
While social media may be the best way for people to develop a passion for football, the entertainment sector has helped a lot as well. Now, it’s easier than ever for Nigerians to find global football content on streaming services, with series such as All or Nothing on Amazon Prime Video taking viewers behind the scenes at various football clubs.
There are also numerous football games that can spark an interest in the sport and give people different ways to enjoy it. The mobile gaming market is currently flourishing in Nigeria, and titles like Dream League Soccer and EA Sports FC Mobile are hugely popular. There are various iGaming titles that players can play at an online casino in Nigeria as well. These include Gold Trio Football and Football Cup America. As the industry gains even more traction in the country, developers may investigate creating some more Nigeria-focused titles to market to people here.
As the online world continues to have a greater influence on how people in Nigeria get involved with football, there are likely to be some major developments in the years ahead. New technology such as AI could have an impact as well, ensuring that all users get personalized content designed for their preferred ways of engaging with the sport. VR could be added soon too, and this could lead to unprecedented levels of immersion in the sport.
