CHAN Eagles’ qualification, boost for domestic league development – NSC Chair

By Olaolu Joseph

The joy of National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, over the CHAN Eagles’ qualification for CHAN 2025 knows no bounds. To celebrate their 3-1 victory over Ghana in Uyo on Saturday, which secured the ticket, he immediately rewarded the team with ₦10 million.

Speaking after the team’s triumph, Dikko reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to growing the sports economy, with the domestic league serving as a major driver of this vision.“

This qualification means a lot to us at the NSC,” he said. “You can see how excited my DG, Hon. Bukola Olapade, and I were over the result. We have set clear goals and know the exact routes to achieve them. For us, a functional domestic league is critical. That’s why we are so delighted that Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted at a competition showcasing the best players from the continent’s domestic leagues.

“As Pele once said, a national team is only as good as its league. If our players fail to qualify for such tournaments, it diminishes the confidence and belief we need to drive our vision. It slows down the progress we are working hard to achieve.”

Dikko highlighted the economic potential of a vibrant domestic league, drawing comparisons to England’s football system.

“England hasn’t won a major trophy since 1966, yet they have the most viable domestic football league in the world. Their clubs create jobs for thousands and contribute significantly to their economy, attracting millions of visitors annually.

“This is the model we aim to replicate here in Nigeria. The success of our domestic league should be the benchmark for our sports development.”

He added, “We want to prioritize domestic growth over mere participation in international tournaments. That’s why we’ve told sports federations that when they seek approval for trips abroad, we’ll first evaluate how much they’ve done to develop their sports domestically.

“The league is our product, and its success is pivotal to realizing the sports economy we envision.”

Dikko urged the CHAN Eagles to bring their stellar performance back to their clubs to elevate the quality of the league.

“In the past, we saw Sikiru Olatunbosun’s goal for MFM FC win CNN’s Goal of the Week. That’s the kind of excellence we expect from our players. When they perform at a high level, it enhances the quality of the league, attracts fans to stadiums, and makes the league more marketable.

“Let this success inspire the boys to achieve even greater heights at the club level. Their talent reaffirms what we’ve always believed—that our league is full of potential.”

Expressing optimism for the CHAN finals, Dikko said, “Having missed the past two editions, it’s heartwarming to see the team qualify this time. We expect them to surpass their 2018 achievement when they finished as runners-up.

“We call on the NFF to begin immediate preparations and camping for the team. The NSC will collaborate with the NFF to ensure the team has all the support needed to succeed.”

He concluded by tipping the CHAN Eagles for glory at the tournament and reaffirmed the NSC’s dedication to nurturing domestic sports.