NFF explains support for NAIJA Super 8

Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan (left); Chairman, Sokoto State Football Association, Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Saidu; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; MD/CEO, Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona; Executive Head of Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Tope Osunkeye; and NFF’s Head of Operations, Emmanuel Adesanya, at the unveiling of NAIJA Super 8 football competition in Lagos…yesterday.

• It’s not competing with NPFL Super 6, says Flykite

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has explained why it endorsed NAIJA Super 8, a privately-organised off-season club football competition.

The NAIJA Super 8, which will involve two clubs from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, is billed to hold in Lagos from June 17 to 25.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, NFF Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said: “I must thank Flykite Productions for coming up with this initiative. When they came to meet us about it two weeks ago, we looked at it and discovered it is a programme that is in line with the vision of Nigerian football. We endorsed it.

“Some people came to ask why we endorsed the Naija Super 8 when there is the Super 6 for NPFL. They are not the same. It is likely we see some Academical teams in the Naija Super 8. It is entirely different from the NPFL Super 6,” Sanusi stated.

Flykite Productions, organisers of the NAIJA Super 8, have also dismissed suggestions that the tourney is competing with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 6.

In a statement, yesterday, Flykite Productions explained that there is no division higher than the NPFL in the domestic game and suggestions that NAIJA Super 8 was in competition with the elite division-backed Super