A lot of people love the Premiership. Arguably, it is the most supported European league in Nigeria. The number of the league’s fan began to grow in leaps and bounds with the movement of Daniel ‘Da Bull’ Amokachi to Everton in the summer of 1994. The trend continued with the arrival of Celestine Babayaro at Chelseas from Anderlecht in a club record move for a teenager as at then in 1997.
While these moves created massive buzz about the league in Nigeria; it took the arrival of ‘Papilo’ Kanu Nwankwo to Arsenal in February 1999 after a most trying time at Inter Milan for the premiership to actually become the ‘darling’ of most Nigerians. If there is a sound measure of metrics towards unveiling the keys behind the popularity of the league; I dare say Kanu Nwankwo’s name may likely come out tops!
Kanu Nwankwo
Now; the Premiership to a lot fans is the ‘king’ of all leagues. This statement usually doesn’t go down well with LaLiga supporters who are die-hard fans of the two major football clubs in Sapin; Real Madrid and Barcelona. Similarly; some fans will argue that Serie A; with yester years power houses – AC Milan, Juventus, Inter, Lazio and Roma is the best in football spectacle for anyone. However; the unpredictability of the English league is legendary.
Leicester City’s unexpected and “unscriptable” triumph last year is a testament to the fluidity of the Premiership. Sunderland; who has been battling relegation all season could turn up a gear to deny high scoring Liverpool and Everton that has been at best average torpedoed Arsenal’s apple cart to halt a seemingly perfect run!
I guess if a row is taken of those who bet on the game; the greatest number of losses with accompanying disappointment will be from the Premiership. This is a bet that I am sure of winning!
I will be sticking my lovely neck out to predict who will the league in England this year. Don’t worry; it won’t be long when I do my own ‘Octopus Paul’. Be on the lookout.
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