By Ime Bassey & Kate Obodo

Following the recent slide in the country’s football, a football friendly company, Crown Media limited has launched what they call Soccer rumble, a television reality game show with prize money of $50, 000.

Organisers said it was part of activities aimed at keeping soccer loving Nigerians more active and creating more awareness in the game.

At the unveiling which took place at Sheraton Hotel Lagos, Austin Izagbo who spoke for the organisers, said the show was an intellectual game show meant to reward soccer fans across the country for their passion for the game.

Fans watch the Super Eagles players during a morning training at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

The event which is also a fusion of sports and entertainment will be popularised throughout Nigeria, across Africa and the globe through the television.

The essence of the game, Izagbo disclosed ”is to engage soccer club fans in an intellectual contest with representatives of rival clubs.”

He continued, “The concept is borne out of the need for a platform where soccer lovers, especially ardent club fan can engage themselves in intellectual soccer rumble and win fabulous prizes. It is a show that is meant to make soccer fans gain from their knowledge of football, as well as encouraging team spirit and educate them more on the history and happenings around the world of football.”

The show will see 16 teams drawn across six zones comprising six players and one coach battling each other as they are to be supported by die-hard fans from the major leagues in Europe and also the Nigerian premier league.

The winner will cart away $50, 000, while the first runner up goes home with $20, 000 and the third place team get $10, 000. Also, all participating teams will win fantastic prizes for qualifying for the finals.

The show is expected to commence from the second quarter of next year.