The efforts and energy that Nigerian teams put into the quest  to win continental slots year in, year out, can best be imagined.

Teams go to any extent to get this achieved. Many employ various unconventional means to actualize this ambition.  Tax payers money are invested in such ventures, even State governments are most of the time dragged into these ventures. At the end of the day, what is achieved is nothing, but a bragging right. "We are the winners of so, so,  and so, so, so trophy" but no structure to sustain such winning.

Recently, CAF released a list of stadiums that are qualified to host its competition, it was agonizing that a country like Nigeria could only boast of one stadium that met the basic requirements to get FIFA and CAF approvals.

 Some will asked what are those requirements that a country like Nigeria, the self acclaimed giant of Africa cannot afford at its stadiums.

Box 18 will want to outline the number of stadiums that passed through these basic requirements in Africa and what required things 

South Africa has 11 of its stadiums that met the requirements. Egypt has  6 same to Ivory Coast and Morocco.  Algeria has 5, Cameroun 4, Equatorial Guinea 3, Angola 2 same to Botswana, DR Congo, Rwanda, Libya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, 
Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and 
Togo all have only one stadium approved for them. 

The Basic Requirements  to get these approvals are:

1. Electronic advertising boards

2. Electronic ticketing system 

3. Modern dressing rooms

4. A 5-star hotel within a radius 

5. A 5-star hospital within radius

6. Underground watering system (sprinklers like in high end leagues)
7. A modern evacuation system 

8. Ample/secure parking lot

9.  Modern stands & seats ( Bucket seats system)

10. Pitch maintenance plan 

11. Fully functional floodlights able to host night matches 

12. Modern press boxes to host journalists 

13. Barriers between the stands and pitch

14. A fully functional electronic viewing screen

15. Reliable source of power.

These becomes more annoying considering the amount of money that state governments invest into irrelevant things like chasing to win titles and many others. The implication of this is that after expending the taxpayers money to win a continental slot, the taxpayers will not have the opportunity of watching their teams play on their home ground. They will now play on a neutral ground. Little wondered at the results chuckled out this weekend by Nigerian teams in the continent. This is pushing Box 18 to suggest that we quit continental championships until we have laid a solid foundation for our local football thrive. 

There are so many other factors that  made it impossible for local football to thrive, which may have forced the government to look aside instead of putting the basic infrastructures needed by FIFA and CAF. These includes:

1. Corruption: Mismanagement and embezzlement of funds meant for football development.

2. Lack of Investment: Insufficient funding for grassroots programs, youth development, and talent identification.

3. Poor Football Governance: Ineffective leadership, political interference, and conflicts. 

4. Security Concerns. Safety issues and violence at matches, affecting player and fan participation.

5. Economic Challenges: Poverty, unemployment, and economic instability impacting investment in football.

6. Player Migration: Talented players seeking opportunities abroad, depleting local teams.

7. Unstable League Calendar: Frequent changes and disruptions to the league schedule.

8. Grassroots Development Neglect*: Focus on senior teams, neglecting youth and grassroots programs.

9. Lack of Sponsorship*: Insufficient corporate support and sponsorship for football development.

10. Government Interference*: Political influence and interference in football administration.

11. Match-Fixing and Corruption: Corruption and match-fixing scandals affecting the sport's integrity.

12. Inadequate Media Coverage*: Limited media attention and coverage for Nigerian football.

Addressing these factors is crucial for Nigerian football development and lay solid foundations for our success in continental championship now and the nearest future . But, instead of waiting until our team will be compelled to play outside the country, I will reiterate the need for us to pull out of the Continental championships, until we put all the infrastructures in place.