Football, we know, is the most popular sport in the World. It plays economic, social, political, mobilization, entertainment and other functions in the live of people and society in general.

Each teams, whether at Clubs or as National Teams are structured in their unique ways with the objective of achieving the purpose they were established. They have their identities either by name, colour or their style of play. I guess you know about the Super Eagles, the Three Lions, Chipolopolo, the Mambas, the Green Falcons, the Super Falcons, Bayana Bayana, the Cranes, Carthage Eagles, the Red Devils, the Pharaohs, the Black Stars, the Elephants, the Lions, to mention a few.

Each of these teams are also identified by their style of play and has earned them names as a further identity. I decided to do a search on some national Teams to have a clearer understanding of their approach to Football. I give some credit to one of the online search machines - Google. Let us take a look at some countries and their identities and style of play.

FRANCE:
 
No-nonsense style of football, with defensive formation. Usually “long balls” from defense completely bypassing the midfield to the strikers. Strong defense with defenders slowing the tempo and wait patient for a counter attack with diagonal and indirect runs from attackers .

SPAIN: 

The Spanish style of play is referred to as 'Tiki-Taka' and is characterized by short passing, patience, and a high importance on possession. Through forming triangles of passing lanes and making smart and easy passes, the Spanish hope to have at least 70% possession every game.

ENGLISH: 

The “way of the warrior” This style of play employs long lofted balls up field and crosses into the middle as opposed to shorter ground passes. The British philosophy is to get the ball up to the forwards as soon as possible. Therefore, the most important position on the pitch for the British is the striker.

GERMAN: 

The German Style is the hard , uncompromising style , robotic football : as perfect as a computer , need for speed type of football , never-say-die attitude , Brilliant mental toughness. French Style - Do everything but choke at the final hurdle . England operate by both outpace and outpower the opponent.

ITALIAN: 

The Italian style of soccer is different than others in that they emphasize a cautious controlled game. Italian teams are careful to commit too many players forward on attack and prefer to use their technical skills and passing abilities to work the ball forward.

ARGENTINA: 

The so-called "continental" football is now widely recognized as the most efficient way to play, and win. Historically, Argentinian football is based on the "grinta" which is roughly a kind of violent, physical and extremely offensive type of play.

JAPANESE: 

The most significant data from this radar, for us, in terms of Japan's playing style is the passing data. They play very few long passes per 90 but plenty of forward passes. Japan are quite a direct team with the ball but they don't go long much and don't generally use a target man striker.

MOROCCO: 

It has a game similar to that of many Latin countries, because it is played with a lot of technique and physical performance, since most of its players play in Europe or have been raised in European football.

HOLLAND: 

Holland game was dominated by “total football,” a style of play developed by Dutch coach Rinus Michels that emphasized all-around skill, versatility, and creativity. Cruyff debuted with the Dutch national team when he was 19 and went on to score 33 goals in 48 international matches.

 BRAZILIAN: 

Samba soccer is a style of football that is heavily influenced by varying aspects of Brazilian culture. It is also known as 'ginga', which translates to 'swing' or 'sway' in English.
In football, Ginga consists of many different moves, some of them include dribbling, using different parts of your foot and juggling. The whole style is built upon agility and how a player 'sways' with the ball. It's about those subtle moves and touches that can catch the opposition off guard.

NIGERIA:

Apart from being identified as Super Eagles, what identity does Nigeria have in Football. When I mention Samba, Tiki Taka or Total Football, you will relate them with specific countries. Some years back especially during 1994 World Cup and the 1996 Olympics, the Nigerian style of play was described as Yori Yori. It was described as such because the Nigerian Team played with the blend of Brazilian and European Football. The Yori Yori style was short-lived because the Nigerian Team could not sustain their admirable performance. The Super Eagles are still struggling. Why? It's all about planning. You must have a structure that you nurture till its implementation and sustainability. Samba has become synonymous with Brazilian Football. What is our own? Sad to say that we don't plan to execute. Our structures are still weak. We have strong men who are stronger than the institution they oversee. Sad. When other Nations have advanced in Football, our area of concentration is the struggle for leadership. I guess the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation is trying to improve the structure. We are still waiting and watching. We have our responsibility to contribute from without.

Nigeria must as matter of urgency carve a sustainable identity for herself in Football. This can only happen when the enabling environment is provided.

Nigerians already has their inborn identity. Nigerians are resilient, they are patient, they are passionate about football, they don't give up. "E go better". That's a common statement by Nigerians. I am sorry to add what the music legend, Fela Anikulapo said many years ago about Nigerians, "suffering and smiling". Therefore, our Football must be centered around "the never give up spirit".
The Never give up spirit football will have a blend of existing and invented style of play. We can call it *NAIJA BALL* . The player who plays the Nigerian style of play can be called *NAIJA BALLER.*
Can the NFF adopt the identity? Spectator is watching.