No, Monday Night Football has not moved nights, we have simply begun a local version of our own entertainment here at Queen’s Drive in Lagos, Nigeria.
Months ago, Rocky built two small soccer goals, (40 inches tall x 55 inches wide and 55 inches deep), out of PVC pipe and old soccer nets we brought from the USA. We placed these on our apartment’s outdoor basketball court in hopes that the local residents and their children would begin to use them. Instead, we sparked interest in the complex’s guards and staff, which motivated Rocky to organize what has now turned into a regular Wednesday Night Football Match, mixing Nigerians and Expats, drivers, guards, staff and residents’ and creating an event which has taken over the complex’s tennis courts every week on Wednesday evening.
The matches are played 5 on 5, with usually about 12-18 people participating, including an average of about 2-5 “Oyibo’s”. Most of the Nigerian players are in the 25-35 age range, and all are technically skilled with a soccer ball at their feet.
Some of the more amazing aspects of the game are the fact that some players play barefoot, and some play in flip-flop sandals! How they run and control the ball with this lack of footwear is truly amazing. Every game ends with a quick beer or water for the players and the session’s group photo – a pictorial record of an event that has no social, political or economic overtures. The world’s sport!
Notice the bare feet
Even the guard who was on duty wanted in the picture!
