Football fans in Enugu on Saturday blamed the low turnout of spectators at the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) 2019 Super 4 tournament in Enugu on poor publicity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament is for the four group winners in the 2018/2019 NNL season.
It has already witnessed two matches, played by the four teams on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu which has a capacity of 22,000 spectators.
A football fan, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, however told NAN that most people, especially football lovers in Enugu, did not know that such a national tournament was taking place.
“There should have been local publicity, using the local means of reaching our people such as using mobile public address systems in neighborhoods and streets to herald the tournament.
“The NNL management should have sent to and pasted announcements of the tournament in various public places and fora to get the needed attention and attendance,’’ Okonkwo said.
Another ardent football lover, Victor Madu, said it was disappointing for a national tournament of this nature not to have at least a quarter of the stadium full.
Madu said: “Football tournaments are meant for fans to come around to enjoy quality football.
“The hosts and competition owners have done well in organisation and keeping to timing of scheduled matches, but much needed to be done in the area of publicity for fans in Enugu and its environs to watch the finest teams at the NNL level.“
Sunday Musa, who is an ardent follower of Adamawa United FC, said he believed that, with good publicity, there would have been a high turnout of fans to the stadium especially for matches of Adamawa United FC.
“I believe that with extensive publicity, especially at the Artisan Market in Enugu, where most people from Adamawa trade, the traders in the market in their hundreds would have closed their shops to cheer their home team.
“With them coming around, I sincerely believe that the morale of the Adamawa United FC players will be high to lift the trophy and take it home,’’ Musa said.
NAN recalls that on Friday, Adamawa United FC defeated Jigawa Golden Stars of Dutse 8-7 on penalty kicks, following a 1-1 draw.
In the second match, Akwa Starlets FC of Uyo overpowered Warri Wolves FC 3-1, also on penalty kicks, after a goalless draw.
With the results, Adamawa United and Akwa Starlets have qualified for the final match while Jigawa Golden Stars and Warri Wolves will play the third-place match.
The two matches will take place on Sunday at the main bowl of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.