Olusegun Adeyemo
Head coach of Ibadan based Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Gbenga Ogunbote, has sparked a conversation on the need to revive 5-a-side football competitions, a format that once served as a cornerstone for football development in Nigeria. His appeal highlights a growing concern among stakeholders about the dwindling opportunities for grassroots engagement in the country’s most popular sport.
For years, the 5-a-side format, known for its fast-paced action and small playing spaces, thrived in Nigerian communities and coaching courses. It was a familiar scene on dusty pitches and school grounds, where young talents honed their skills, built confidence, and developed tactical awareness. However, over time, this vital element of grassroots football has disappeared from the sporting landscape.
Speaking with The Journal Nigeria, Ogunbote said “I can’t even remember the last time I heard about a 5-a-side competition.
“Years ago, it was something we always did during coaching courses. Over time, it just faded away.”
The 5-a-side format is more than a casual game. It is a training ground for creativity and technical development. With fewer players and limited space, participants are forced to think quickly, improve ball control, and sharpen decision-making—skills that often define exceptional players. Globally, countries with strong football traditions such as Brazil and Spain have leveraged small-sided games to produce world-class players. In Nigeria, this format once played a similar role, offering an entry point for future stars. According to Ogunbote, bringing it back would bridge the gap between grassroots football and elite competition.
“If we can bring back the 5-a-side competition, it would be a great achievement for football development, particularly at the grassroots level,” he added.
Experts attribute the disappearance of 5-a-side tournaments to a combination of factors: lack of infrastructure, insufficient investment in community sports programs, and a growing emphasis on professional leagues at the expense of youth development. Once a fixture in coaching curricula and local competitions, it now struggles for relevance in an era dominated by full-pitch formats.
Reviving 5-a-side football will require more than nostalgia—it demands collaboration among schools, football academies, and governing bodies like the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Reintroducing the format into Physical Education programs, supporting community tournaments, and leveraging corporate sponsorships could breathe new life into the initiative. Some stakeholders also suggest using indoor sports halls or converting unused spaces into mini-pitches. With the growing popularity of futsal, an organized form of 5-a-side recognized by FIFA, Nigeria could align with global trends while addressing local development needs.
Beyond technical benefits, 5-a-side football offers an inclusive platform for community building. It encourages participation in urban areas with limited space, reduces the cost of organizing matches, and provides a safer alternative for young players.
As Ogunbote’s call gains traction, one thing is clear: reviving 5-a-side football is not just about the game—it is about reigniting the grassroots engine that powers Nigerian football.