The bond between nations – isn’t that the best thing about Socca? The world cup brought 32 countries together with just one common goal. The spirit of 6 a side football.

The results almost didn’t matter.

Yesterday, the International Socca Federation spoke to Henry Koko – the man in charge of the Nigerian team – to discuss his experience at Crete 2019, and as well as explaining what life was life in lockdown in Lagos, he talked about the special bond he felt with the UK teams.

So Henry, when last we spoke, we talked about the sport in Nigeria and how it was lifted by the world cup, so I guess, what has happened since?

Since we returned from the World Cup, we have launched Corporate and Youth leagues, and have been invited to speak on a couple of TV stations as well as radio about what the HIVE Leagues and SOCCA is all about

I suppose we must talk about Covid-19? How are you and your family first of all? Are you in lockdown over in Nigeria?

Even though we live in one of the epicentres (the city of Lagos), my family and I are very well. Lagos and a few others are currently in lockdown and have been for at least a month.

I assume football has stopped as a result?

Yes! We as an organization called off our activities a week before it was officially announced. All sports and social gatherings across the nation are off at the moment.

Are you already planning for the future, and the end of the pandemic?

We certainly are. As uncertain as the future may be, we continue to plan and prepare for life after the pandemic. We are preparing to restart the leagues and launch others in other cities across the country.

What is the one thing you are most looking forward to after life returns to normal?

I doubt that things will return to exactly how they were pre-pandemic but I am hoping to see people back out there playing sport and meeting up in social gatherings without too much hesitation.

And I know, because we spoke about it, how important the World Cup was for you, and I know you spoke with the England team on social media last week, the friendships you made in Crete, seem to have lasted. 

Yes. The World Cup was a great experience for us as it was important for us, at this stage of our business, to be there. We are hoping to push on from here and achieve great things as an organization.  We made some friendships and connections in Crete but not nearly enough, to be honest but we are hopeful that we would get a chance to correct this sometime soon.

We have recently dedicated a slot in our media program, to talk on all things socca. On such days, we run a brief on teams and associations in the SOCCA Fed family with focus on their time at the World Cup. It was really easy talking about Team England, for many reasons;  common language, the EPL, some personal relationships and of course their amazing performance at the tournament.

All this, helps us relive the World Cup experience in many ways, draws much-needed attention to socca and of course makes our SOCCA Fed family and friends know that we remember them, especially at this time.

To find out more about The Hive Leagues in Nigeria click here.