Nigeria sees luck in Nike stores, misfortune on pitch

World
Europe

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has created great business opportunities as brands cash in on the football fever that is taking over the globe. Joining the ranks of the headphones used by Lionel Messi and the hair shampoo that Cristiano Ronaldo swears by, is a new item selling like hot cakes – the Nigerian team's home jersey.

While reaction has been muted to the away jerseys which Nigerian players donned during their match against Croatia on Saturday, the team's black and green shirts have caused quite a stir. Some said they have redefined the word "ugly", while others have called them fashionable on a new level.

Nigeria's away jersey (L) on display at a store next to the team's home jersey (R). /VCG Photo

Despite the polarized comments, the jersey appears to have been a huge success for business.

Before the Nike-designed jerseys went on sale earlier this month, a whooping three million pre-orders had been placed. And when the shirts actually went on sale, with a price tag of 90 US dollars a piece, they were reportedly gone in three minutes.

Fans who were not fast enough had to turn to second-hand markets and websites where demand drove prices up. On eBay, one such jersey could fetch as much as 348 US dollars.

Many fans are crazy about the unique looking jersey. /VCG Photo

Nigeria's home jersey was No. 1 on the popular ranking list of 2018 FIFA World Cup jerseys by Britain's Daily Mirror, and both English and Spanish websites of Spain's Marca. It also ranked first on a survey by Sky Sports.

Having been known as "Super Eagles" for years, Nigeria's national football team now have a new nickname "Zebra" thanks to the green and black stripes of their home jersey.

The team still have to face Argentina and Iceland in Group D, but after their 0-2 loss to Croatia, their luck on the pitch might not be as good as on the market.