NFF explains support for NAIJA Super 8

• 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 8 were wrong and inappropriate. They also noted that NAIJA Super 8 is open to clubs across divisions and not solely for NPFL sides, which owe their elite-level status to promotion and avoidance of relegation.

“The NPFL remains the top division in the domestic game, and there can be no competition whatsoever between NAIJA Super 8 and NPFL Super 6.

“There is the possibility of NPFL clubs participating in NAIJA Super 8, but clubs in the division are not the only ones to which the tournament is open.

“What NAIJA Super 8 aims to do differently is to give football fans opportunity of making additional contributions to the football ecosystem by voting for teams that will participate in NAIJA Super 8, which seeks to complement NPFL Super 6 by providing additional opportunities for clubs.

“Some of the teams may end up being NPFL clubs. Some, almost certainly, will come from other divisions,” the statement said.