Nigeria Set for a Triumphant Return to the Global Futsal Stage

Galaxy 5s Global Sports is spearheading the relaunch of the futsal market in Nigeria, leveraging innovation, structured competitions, and commercial partnerships to unlock the continent’s futsal potential.

After a 30-year hiatus, futsal is poised for a major comeback in Nigeria, signalling a new era for the nation’s football ecosystem. Galaxy 5s Global Sports, a leading sports management company, has partnered with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to drive the development of futsal across the country.

According to Mr. Shamsudeen Tijjani Yusuf, Managing Director of Galaxy 5s Global Sports, “Nigeria has all the tools and the right ingredients to become a futsal powerhouse, but there’s still significant work to be done. We decided to partner with the NFF, the FIFA-recognised member association, to underscore the importance of futsal as a distinct and strategic discipline in Nigerian football.”

Futsal: A Strategic Fit for Nigeria

“Embracing futsal is the perfect complement to Nigerian football,” Yusuf explains. “Countries that have invested in futsal have seen tangible benefits, particularly at the youth level. It’s become a popular entry point into the game, and the impact is clear at the international level.”

Indeed, nations like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and Portugal have leveraged futsal to develop technically skilled players. In Africa, Morocco has emerged as a dominant force, currently ranked 6th globally and 1st in Africa, following their reign as Futsal African Champions.

Yusuf emphasises that futsal must become an integral part of Nigeria’s football DNA, influencing coaching philosophy and playing style at all levels. “We plan to prioritise how the game is coached nationwide, ensuring that coaches, especially those working with youth players, are connected to top-level strategies,” he adds.

The National Futsal Super League: Launching in Kaduna

One of the most significant milestones in this revival is the launch of the National Futsal Super League, set to kick off in January 2026 to the 1^st of February. The league will feature teams from all six geopolitical zones in a regional league format, designed to be competitive and globally attractive.

Kaduna City has been selected as the official host of the inaugural edition, dubbed “Crocodile City,” The State holds a special place in the history of football in Nigeria, serving for decades as one of the country’s strongest football centers and a breeding ground for talent.

As part of the National Futsal Super League Nationwide Tour, Galaxy 5s Global Sports recently hosted an impactful Futsal Training Seminar for 32 participating teams in Kaduna. The seminar brought together both seasoned and aspiring coaches to enhance their knowledge, skills, and coaching methodologies in line with the FIFA Global Development Programme.

The seminar was conducted by CAF and FIFA instructor Musa Dung Davou, who also refereed at the last AFCON in Morocco in 2024. It drew an enthusiastic turnout of coaches committed to elevating standards in the Nigerian futsal community.

Purpose & Objectives

The seminar’s primary goals were to:

• Enhance understanding of modern futsal coaching techniques.
• Equip coaches with strategic tools for player development.
• Promote best practices in training design, match preparation, and performance analysis.
• Foster a collaborative network of coaches to grow the futsal ecosystem.

Participants left with fresh insights into modern futsal tactics, practical demonstrations, and interactive learning strategies. Certificates were awarded to recognise their dedication and commitment.

Galaxy 5s Global Sports reaffirmed its commitment to advancing futsal at all levels, hinting at follow-up clinics, advanced coaching modules, and grassroots programs. The Nationwide Tour is projected to reach 14 cities in its first year (2026), expanding futsal knowledge and opportunities across Nigeria.

Futsal Market and Economic Potential

Globally, futsal is not just a sport but a growing economic opportunity. In Africa alone, the futsal market is projected to reach $800 million by 2027, growing at an annual rate of 7% from 2022 to 2027. This growth is driven by increasing popularity in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco, alongside rising investment in infrastructure and facilities.

Despite Nigeria’s absence from major international tournaments, the FIFA Futsal World Cup (last in 1992) and the CAF Futsal Cup of Nations (last in 2008, hosted by Libya), the stage is now set for a resurgence that combines competitive success with commercial viability.

Women’s Futsal: A Rising Force

Women’s futsal is gaining global recognition, with FIFA officially introducing it last year. Morocco hosted the first-ever Africa Women’s Futsal Cup of Nations, emerging as champions, and the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup is slated for the Philippines from November 21 to December 7, 2025.

Yusuf highlights that this milestone encourages female participation in Nigeria, with plans to develop women’s leagues, training programs, and talent pathways.

A Call to Investors and Partners

“Futsal is no longer just recreational; it’s big business and with proper structures in place, futsal can become a sustainable sports industry here in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” Yusuf declares. He is calling on investors, sponsors, and partners to join the movement, emphasising the sport’s strategic, competitive, and commercial potential. With the establishment of the National Futsal Super League, Nigeria is ready to reclaim its place on the world futsal stage.

Nigeria’s Futsal Renaissance is not just a return; it is a strategic transformation of how football is played, taught, and experienced. From Kaduna to the national team, male to female players, and grassroots to global arenas, the game is set to capture the hearts of Nigerian fans.

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

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