The Premier League football scene has captivated and lured so many Africans into watching them play. From the days of past African Legends playing in England, African fans especially Nigerians, have been so interested in how they run football. For Naija fans watching Kanu Nwankwo play for Arsenal, Jay-Jay Okocha for Bolton, Mikel for Chelsea, Victor Moses for Liverpool and Chelsea, Osazie Odemwingie for Stoke, Odion Ighalo for Man United, was captivating and it grew the Premier League fanbase in the country. In this article, you will see the 5 Premier League clubs with the Biggest fanbase in Naija. Let’s start below.
5) Manchester City
Manchester City may not have as many fans as the other top Premier League clubs. However, they are also in great quantity in Nigeria even though it’s rare to see one. Of course, the luring factor would be how the club wins league titles year in and year out.
As a reminder, a Nigerian has also represented the club in the person of Kelechi Iheanacho. Signing a national star like him raised the club’s local profile, as there was an increase in viewership and jersey sales. The club’s rise looks destined to enrich engagement with passionate fans in the country further.
4) Liverpool
Liverpool’s huge worldwide fanbase still carries a high amount of representation in Nigeria. The club’s illustrious history in English football before Chelsea’s rise, is the reason for the huge representation.
The English team with the most UEFA Champions League alone can attract anyone to support them. Through these trophies, achievements, and togetherness, Liverpool has been committed to increasing and building the club’s numbers in the country.
The style of football under former coach, Jurgen Klopp also spiked the numbers of their fanbase in Nigeria. Local fans got to watch and enjoy their fellow Africans like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, and Joel Matip.
3) Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal are certainly in the top 3 of the 5 Premier League clubs with the Biggest fanbase in Naija. Through players like Kanu and Alex Iwobi, especially the former, the club’s fanbase in the country grew massively.
Back in the day, the Gunners played one of the best football ever led by Arsene Wenger. This led to so much interest in the club by Nigerian viewers who later turned supporters of the North London club.
Of recent, Alex Iwobi had a spell at the club and was watched by so many Nigerians whether supporting the club or not. The club also etched its name in the hearts of local fans during the “Invincible” show.
2) Chelsea F.C.
The “Pride of London” as they call themselves has a very LARGE number of fans in Nigeria. The competition between Chelsea and Man United fans in the country is so fiery that they don’t succumb to each other regardless of what happens.
Focusing on the Blues, they have garnered fans from Nigeria thanks to African legends like Drogba, Essien, Mikel, Salomon Kalou, Celestine Babayaro, and Goerge Weah.
This era of Chelsea captivated football lovers in the country and till today they haven’t decreased. Although they may not be in their best of times right now, the Nigerian Chelsea fanbase has very much enjoyed lifting trophies with the club.
Including trophies that some other London club hasn’t achieved in their history.
1) Manchester United
Who else takes the number one spot? The Greatest Premier League club is the Premier League club with the Biggest fanbase in Naija. The Red Devils have always been the No.1 choice in the nation beginning from Sir Alex Fergurson’s early reign till this moment.
Their trophies won under the Greatest Premier League Manager of all time also led the fanbase surge in the nation. Although no Nigerian had ever played for the club at that time, local fans enjoyed watching other stars. Stars like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Robin van Persie, Edwin Van Der Sar, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and so on.
However, the fanbase surged more with the signing of then-Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo. Even though he didn’t play much for the side, it was a joy to know that a Nigerian had finally played for the club.
This fanbase remains the largest in the country whether in the glory days or in the dark days that are in now.