Why I invested in WAFA league – Ronaldo

Ronaldo Vianney Rotimi, the founder and CEO of Nakamura Football Academy, has opened up on why he invested so much in the Women Accredited Football Academy (WAFA) League.

Rotimi played a leading role, including sponsoring the competition with five million naira. His motivation stems from a profound understanding of the challenges faced by young players.

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“I worked behind the scenes, observing the system closely and learning where the challenges truly lie. That backdoor exposure gave me deep insight into the pains players endure, the flaws in the league’s organisation, and the structural gaps that discourage growth,” he revealed.

He lamented the loss of talent due to systemic issues. “Many players drop out of football not because they lack talent, but because the league isn’t structured well enough to support their aspirations. The setup often forces them into bad decisions, jumping from one team to another or abandoning football altogether. It’s heartbreaking.”

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For Rotimi, his involvement goes beyond mere competition. “That is why I decided to do something tangible, not just by sponsoring tournaments but by engaging deeply with the players’ lives and welfare. One of the most damaging challenges is injuries, which can derail promising careers, especially when there’s no support structure. So for me, this isn’t just about football competitions. It’s about stabilising lives and careers.”

He firmly believes in grassroots development. “I don’t believe in random or flashy tournaments unless they’re rooted in grassroots development. I support any competition that builds players up structurally and prepares them for sustainable growth. That’s what the WAFA League means to me.”

His team first competed in the WAFA League in 2018, finishing near the bottom due to a young, inexperienced squad.

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However, they dramatically improved, winning the league the following season. Rotimi then briefly withdrew to prioritise player development over immediate trophies, focusing on “training the players, giving them exposure through high-quality friendlies, and preparing those who were ready for professional moves abroad.”

Rotimi satisfied with WAFA League progress

While acknowledging some progress, Rotimi is “about 50 per cent satisfied” with the WAFA League’s developmental goals, citing player mentality as the biggest hurdle.

He observed a common issue, “Many are not mentally nurtured for the demands of professional football.”

He expressed concern that players who excel locally often struggle in top-tier leagues like the NWFL due to lack of readiness.

“They sit on the bench or are completely sidelined because they’re not technically or mentally ready,” he noted.

He cited Owolabi Blessing (Kenya) as an example of successful, albeit unconventional, development.

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“She wasn’t even among the top 20 players in the WAFA League when she played. But she later moved abroad and became a top scorer in Kazakhstan and one of the highest-scoring African players currently in Europe. She had barely spent a month in Nigeria’s top-flight league before making that leap. She came straight from our academy in Mushin and blossomed overseas.”

This experience reinforces his belief in patient, structured development.

“If I am convinced a player is ready, I will invest in her. But I don’t believe in wasting anyone’s time or rushing potential.”

Rotimi believes the WAFA League is important for the future of women’s football in Nigeria.

“With proper sponsorship and structure, it can retain players long enough to prepare them adequately for the top flight. That way, when they finally join the NWFL or move abroad, they will not just occupy a bench, they will thrive,” he concluded.