The COVID-19 Pandemic has created turmoil around the world. It has stopped businesses, downed planes, and locked consumers in their homes. The sporting world has come to a standstill. However, things are starting to return to normal. Sports leagues across the world are returning to action and this is a good thing for hardcore and casual fans.
If you’re a fan of soccer, you’ll be thrilled to know that the sport you love has returned. This week, Nigerian fans welcomed the return of English football. More about that can be found below.
The Game
Nigerian fans have been eager to watch a football game for many months. Due to COVID-19, they’ve been stuck at home too long and they’ve missed the sport they love so much. When fans heard that football war returning, they couldn’t wait to enjoy the action. On Wednesday night, Manchester City and Arsenal played a game in Northwest England. The action was competitive and fans were excited to enjoy every minute of it.
In Nigeria, fans weren’t going to let a little social distancing hold them back. They came out to enjoy the game with their friends and family members.
Lagos
A few weeks ago, you wouldn’t have been able to step outside without wearing a mask. And, you have to keep a safe distance away from everyone else. Things are changing and football is back. While the game between Manchester City and Arsenal was held in an empty stadium, Nigerian fans in Lagos got in on the action.
In the commercial capital, fans ignored social distancing rules so they could watch the game.
The Sir T pub portion of Lagos was crammed full of football fans. Even when it started raining heavily, these individuals weren’t willing to stop. They starting from start to finish so they could return the return of football. The majority of Nigerian fans cheered for Arsenal which has developed a dedicated Nigerian fanbase over the years.
Things Were Different
While some stayed at home to play Sbobet Indonesia, most people in the region were interested in watching the football game. And, they were going to let the Coronavirus or a little rain stop them. However, people knew that things were going to be different this time around. Approximately 50 meters from the pub, police stood by at a checkpoint so they could enforce a curfew that was set to begin at 22:00.
The good news is that the game was over before the curfew went into effect. That gave Nigerian football fans plenty of time to finish watching the game and return home. While the government has made an order that wearing a mask in public is compulsory, many did. They would periodically lift their masks so they could take a drink.
Viewing Centers
Before the Coronavirus pandemic, Nigeria was different. When Arsenal plays, hundreds of people travel to viewing centers so they can watch the games. They pay 150 naira to watch the games in a bit hall with big screens and a great sound system. And, they usually stick around well into the night. When there are no football games to watch, these facilities are used to broadcast Bollywood movies.
Unfortunately, these establishments have been closed since late March due to the pandemic. Hotels have opened but bars remain shut. And, the government has ordered that only 20 people can gather at once. Since many football fans in Nigeria have no cable or satellite television, they had to find an alternative. They decided to travel to the pub to watch the game even though that meant breaking the law.
The Battle Continues
At the end of the night, Manchester City had beaten Arsenal with a final score of 3 to 0. Nevertheless, Nigerian fans in Lagos were happy that they were finally out of their homes. They were finally able to see their friends once again. Nevertheless, a lot of fans had left by the time Phil Foden scored the third and final goal for Manchester City.
In Nigeria, there were 490 new cases of the coronavirus. And, 142 of them came from Lagos. The country has had 455 deaths so far. Nevertheless, fans of football in the area were willing to risk it all so they could watch Arsenal play!