Boko Haram invasion affects local football team

The Nigerian city of Maiduguri is one of the worst affected by Boko Haram Islamists’ deadly insurgency.

Less noticed among the carnage, officials said, has been the exile of the northeastern city’s top-flight football team El-Kanemi Warriors FC.

But with calm returning after a year-long counter-insurgency, El-Kanemi Warriors FC are now hoping for an emotional comeback.

There is an ongoing campaign to assure stakeholders the team is ready to host visitors at its 10,000-capacity ground.

Club manager Ladan Bosso said approval to play again in Maiduguri would help the city.

The team is made up of players from across Nigeria as well as neighbouring Cameroon and Chad.

A beauty in a midst of storm as last weekend, at least 85 people were killed in an attack about 10 kilometres (six miles) outside the city.