The 2018 World Cup virtually here, there’s been much talk here in Nigeria. The talk has nothing to do with how far the country can go in the World Cup or which players we should look out for it’s been more about the jersey the country will wear at the World Cup. Ever since the 7th of January when Nike unveiled the jersey, it’s been the most anticipated jersey in all of sports and has been at the forefront of conversation to all Nigerians. The design is fantastic and different. With the home kit paying homage to the 94’ Jersey and the badge to 96’ Atlanta kit. The collection is aptly named “For Naija”. Featuring distinct patterns and floral prints, appealing to the world of streetwear and sportwear.
Nike has been criticized for their recent jersey designs. With the use of templates for several clubs and countries with little creative effort to even differentiate them. Nike seemed to have noticed the conversation the jersey was creating and put a little extra in the roll out that would have been done normally, the used all kinds of people to drive up the interests in the jerseys, from the prince of Nigerian football -Alex Iwobi, to The prince of Afrobeat Wizkid and they also used a host of Nigerians based in the Uk. Skepta, Apple Music host Julie Adenuga, Grace Ladoja and more. The hype was so much that the jerseys allegedly broke records- according to the Nigerian football federation(NFF) the jersey was pre-ordered 3million times.
The jersey has taken a life of its own, Nigerian traders in the the popular Balogun market didn’t wait for the official release of the jersey as a feature on BBC showed. One trader claimed to have sold over 3000 pieces of the jerseys even before the release date and another one said he was importing as many as possible from Thailand. Upon its release on the 1st of June 2018, people queued up by the 100s outside Nike Town to get their jerseys. It was also reported that the Nigerian jerseys were sold out in the stores and online 3 minutes after its release on Nike’s website.
The Nigerian jersey is the best jersey at the 2018 World Cup. Even if they don’t win it, we can all live with that.
תגובות