Kaduna will host the maiden edition of the National Futsal Super League, an initiative designed to revive the sport and build a foundation for Nigeria’s national futsal team.
The announcement was made by Shamsudeen Tijjani Yusuf, Managing Director of Galaxy 5s Global Sports, which is partnering with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to organise the event.
Yusuf said the league will adopt a regional format, featuring teams from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones competing over a two-week period in the Crocodile City.
“Our goal is to make futsal attractive and engaging in Nigeria,” Yusuf stated. “The league will help identify and develop players who will form the core of the national team. We are also introducing coaching and refereeing programmes to deepen understanding of the game.”
He noted that futsal has been absent from Nigeria’s sports scene for three decades, adding that the new initiative marks a strategic relaunch. “Nigeria has the talent and potential to become a futsal powerhouse, but we must put in the work,” he said.
Yusuf emphasised that partnering with the NFF, as FIFA’s recognised body, highlights the importance of integrating futsal into the country’s football development structure.
“Futsal is the perfect fit for Nigerian football,” he said. “Nations like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and Portugal have used it to nurture young talent, while Morocco has emerged as Africa’s top futsal nation and ranks sixth globally.”
Futsal, officially sanctioned by FIFA, was first introduced at the 1989 World Cup in the Netherlands. Brazil leads the sport’s history with six world titles, followed by Spain, Argentina, and Portugal. Brazil are the reigning world champions after defeating Argentina 2-1 in the 2024 edition held in Uzbekistan.
The fast-paced indoor game is played between two teams of five players on a smaller court, promoting quick decision-making and technical skills—qualities Yusuf believes will greatly benefit Nigerian football.
