Former Super Eagles’ skipper and now Kano Pillars General Manager, Ahmed Musa, has tendered a public apology following the violent scenes that marred his club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening.

In a heartfelt statement posted on his official X handle, the Super Eagles captain described the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” stressing that it does not reflect the true values or proud history of Kano Pillars.

The scene after the Kano Pillars versus Shooting Stars match.

“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or proud history of Kano Pillars,” Musa wrote.

He expressed deep regret to Shooting Stars players, coaches, officials, match referees, NPFL board members, GTI partners, and football fans across the country who witnessed the ugly scenes, promising that those responsible would be brought to book.

“Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away — we must confront it head-on,” he stated.

Musa assured that Kano Pillars would work closely with relevant authorities to identify and punish those behind the riot, adding that the club would take firm internal measures to prevent a recurrence.

“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We will take huge steps internally to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.

Addressing the club’s supporters directly, Musa urged them to show their passion through respect and discipline rather than violence.

“True support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us,” he appealed.

The former Leicester City and Al Nassr forward concluded by taking full responsibility on behalf of the club and promising to restore trust and respect for Kano Pillars and Nigerian football.

“We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria,” he said.

The NPFL and its partners are expected to launch an investigation into the incident, with potential sanctions looming for Kano Pillars, whose fans were reportedly involved in violent conduct following the match against the Ibadan-based Shooting Stars.

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The global economic power of football (soccer) is truly immense, standing as one of the world’s most influential and profitable industries. The beautiful game generates billions of dollars annually through revenue, employment, and global commerce.

Recent estimates, according to a new report from consultancy firm Kearney, revealed that the global sports market, encompassing professional leagues, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, betting, and merchandising will be worth US$602 billion by 2030.

According to FIFA, “The global football market is witnessing a dynamic evolution, characterized by increasing participation rates and a growing emphasis on youth development programs, which collectively enhance the sport’s accessibility and popularity across diverse demographics.”

Major leagues such as the English Premier League (EPL) generate between $6–7 billion annually, while the UEFA Champions League brings in billions of dollars through TV rights and commercial deals. The FIFA World Cup 2022 alone generated more than $7.5 billion in revenue according to the world football governing body.

Beyond revenues, the football industry has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to create jobs directly — through players, coaches, referees, and administrators — and indirectly across media, tourism, logistics, and security. Every major football club today drives local economies through matchday activities, merchandise sales, and hospitality services.

Television and digital broadcasting rights remain football’s biggest money spinners. The EPL’s broadcasting rights, for instance, are valued at over £10 billion per cycle, with networks such as SuperSport (Africa), Sky Sports (Europe), DAZN, Amazon, and ESPN paying premium sums for coverage.

Moreover, digital platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Meta are revolutionizing the way football content is monetized, expanding access and engagement for millions of fans globally.

Football’s commercial appeal continues to attract massive sponsorship deals. Global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Emirates invest billions in the sport annually.

For example, Real Madrid’s sponsorship deal with Emirates exceeds $70 million per year, while Manchester United’s record-breaking Adidas kit deal — valued at $900 million (2024–2035) — underscores the immense commercial potential of football branding.

Football’s influence extends well beyond the pitch. The sport drives massive investments in stadium construction, transportation upgrades, and urban development.

Mega-events such as the World Cup, AFCON, and UEFA Euro attract millions of tourists, boosting host nations’ GDP through hospitality, retail, and tourism spending. For instance, Qatar 2022 contributed billions of dollars to its national GDP through infrastructure projects and global exposure.

In Nigeria, football continues to stimulate both national and local economies — creating opportunities in youth engagements (through academies and grassroots programs), media growth (sports journalism and broadcasting), and corporate investments (banks, telcos, and private sponsors of clubs and leagues).

The economic power of football is nearly unquantifiable. Football clubs today have evolved into major financial assets — some football clubs are publicly traded or backed by institutional investors.

Examples include Manchester United, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Juventus, listed on the Borsa Italiana (BIT).

Similarly, in Nigeria, The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) — managed by GTI Group and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — exemplifies how football can be harnessed as an investment vehicle to drive sports development, financial inclusion, and national growth.

Football is not just a game — it’s a global economic powerhouse shaping industries, nations, and generations.

In light of the above, it is evident that the private corporate organizations have a significant role to play in the development and sustenance of the Nigeria football ecosystem for mutual benefits. 

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Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.

Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.

“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”

The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.

“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”

Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.

The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.

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