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Sports News of Tuesday, 4 February 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Nigerian football fans are crazy - Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand Rio Ferdinand

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has described Nigerian football fans as "crazy" and unbelievable.

The ex-Three Lion who was wowed by the reception he got on his second visit to Nigeria believes that Nigerian fans, unlike any where else, are "crazy".

Speaking on Nigerian football fans during the grand finale of the Guinness Night Football event held in Lagos, Ferdinand said, "They’re crazy, I love it.

"I’m always amazed about how much knowledge and information they have about football, especially the premier league and I always say, listen, I’ve been retired for five or six years and the people who still know me, it’s crazy," he said.

"I can’t understand it, unlike anywhere I go in the world, the love I have here is crazy," he added.

Ferdinand also commented on the NPFL's potential to be like other leagues in the world. He said, "yea, it’ll be good but in Africa in general, I think it lacks the structure."

Ferdinand, who is on his second Nigerian visit, shared his perception about Nigeria.

"When I was younger, I was influenced a lot by Nigerians or Ghanaians, always happy, everyone used to say listen you have to go to Nigeria or to Ghana to see what the people are like, how happy everyone is and how much they love football and I’ve come here and it’s exceeded the expectations. It’s crazy, I love it."

The former Utd. defender also revealed how best he thinks racism can be curbed.

"In football it’s becoming more prominent, we’ve seen it more again, it’s on social media but the problem is bigger than just football, football let people know it’s still there but it’s more about society and education. Educating the young people, educating the old people as well to make sure that they understand that racism and ignorance is real. Football can help racism but it is bigger than football."