‘It is God that Does Everything,Including Winning Football Trophies’: Exploring Thanksgiving Ceremonies by Liverpool F.C. Supporters Club in a Nigerian Town

Abstract

This article explored a new approach to football fandom by Liverpool F.C. supporters club in Nsukka, Nigeria. Between 2019 and 2020, this group embarked on thanksgiving ceremonies to commemorate the successes of Liverpool F.C. within that period. The study adopted participant observation and oral interviews as methods of data collection. Findings show that the reason for the thanksgiving ceremonies by the group is anchored on a tenacious faith in God, who can do all things, including helping Liverpool F.C. win trophies. This finding brings to scholarly attention the much-neglected role the Christian faith plays in football fandom among young people in Nsukka, Nigeria.

Keywords

Christian faith football fandom Liverpool F.C. supporters club Nigeria Nsukka thanksgiving ceremonies

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