Three weeks after the commencement of the 2013 Nigeria Professional Football League, the season may soon be disrupted as the fear of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is fast sending jitters down the spines of members of the football fraternity.
Unlike previous crises of lack of money to run the system and sharp disagreement over format, the looming crisis has to do with security challenges in the northern part of the country.
The Eagle Online can exclusively report that clubs from the Southern part of the country have concluded arrangements to boycott home matches of the newly promoted El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The spate of bombing in Maiduguri, Damaturu in Yobe State and neighbouring towns have not only heightened the fears among the club owners, the safety of their teams have become a source of concern.
El-Kanemi’s only game at home so far was against Wikki Tourist at the Maiduguri township stadium in Week Two.
The match was reportedly marred by security breach as a blast was reported few metres from the match venue.
“We are going to meet very soon to take a stand on Maiduguri,” said our source who sought for anonymity in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, over the weekend.
The source added: “With the security situation in the North, especially Maiduguri, it will be a risk to allow football matches there.
“The club owners will make this position known to the League management team soon.”
El-Kanemi Warriors are scheduled to host Bayelsa United this midweek but it is very uncertain if the South-South team will honour the match.
It is recalled the Warri Wolves boycotted the group stage of the 2012 Federation Cup in Bauchi, Bauchi State for fear of Boko Haram attack.
Fear of Boko Haram may stall Nigerian football league
