So one my friends was teasing me today that It's very unlikely that Nigeria's taking home the World Cup this year. Very, very unlikely. Well I told him at least they'll take home one title - and that's the tournament's best kit.
As you may recall, a few months ago Nike released a promo campaign for its official World Cup uniforms, including Nigeria’s. Although all the kits looked pretty dope, Nigeria’s was the most hyped-over, causing the internet to go crazy. This morning, as soon as Nike released a promotional campaign featuring Nigeria's new stripes, Twitter went hysterical.
Hundreds of fans flocked to Oxford Street, London, in a bid to get their hands on Nigeria's World Cup 2018 kit.
The Super Eagles Strip has sold out on Nike's website. As a result of the demand, fans flocked to Nike Town opposite Oxford Circus tube station in hope of having a jersey of their own.
The retro-themed kit, voted the best World Cup jersey in a recent Sky Sports poll, was praised in Nigeria and global soccer circles after it was first revealed in February. But all that hype has translated into pent-up demand as, barely hours after being released by Nike, the kit has sold out. And guess what? It broke pre-order records with a staggering 3 million kits sold. That's more than Manchester United flogged for the entirety of 2016. Before you get very excited I should note that some of the hype around the jersey been questioned.
Nigeria’s football federation (NFF) claimed Nike said it had received three million pre-orders. But sport industry insiders have cast doubt on those numbers, given that the world’s most well-followed club rarely tops that number. The price of the kit has also come into question too. At $90, it is beyond the reach of millions of Nigeria’s soccer-mad fans. But, available at $17, bootleg versions are proving a popular alternative.
In addition, there were no obvious pre-order options for the jersey on Nike or the NFF’s websites or so they say. Nike has not confirmed the three million figure. But there’s no doubt that the hype has worked in generating buzz around the jersey, especially in London, a day ahead of the England-Nigeria, pre-World Cup warm-up match at Wembley stadium tomorrow.
Nike’s marketing and strategy have been questioned locally as, despite the kit’s massive popularity, it has only been released a fortnight before the World Cup kicks off. The late release has been a boon for local traders who have sold fake versions of the jersey since March. Indeed, last week, during a friendly match ahead of the World Cup, hundreds of fans in the stadium sported the jersey even though it had not been officially released.
In preparation for this summer's World Cup, Nigeria face England in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday.
A message on the US kit maker’s website says the product was “only available in limited quantities.” Nike says there are currently no plans to restock.
Wizkid my favorite Nigerian Artist has gotten his on Jersey Strip
I need one for me and my woman
Others Are are also getting theirs.
If you want your own however, you better be quick. The kits have just dropped online at Nike and as with all things sportswear/World Cup/generally handsome, they won't be around for long.
