Mabutho
• Lists Benefits Of DStv Involvement In NPFL
Nigerian soccer fans have been assured of a memorable English FA Cup final come May 27. The 136th edition of the FA Cup, the oldest football tournament in the world, is two months away, but the General Manager, Marketing and Sales of Multichoice, Martin Mabutho told The Guardian yesterday in Lagos that concrete steps have been taken to make the final a must-watch for Nigerian fans.
Premier League side, Manchester United, who are the defending champions, will face table toppers, Chelsea in the quarterfinal pairing on March 11, while Lincoln City face Arsenal. Tottenham will host Millwall, just as Middlesbrough take on Manchester City.
Mabutho revealed that his organization had already embarked on what he described as ‘strategic sensitising’ of football loving Nigerians towards the final, adding that DStv had also taken some steps to reward the fans.
“Lately, we extended some of our channels, particularly the DStv sports channels to the lower bouquets to pave the way for more soccer fans to follow the Emirates FA Cup. We have more plans ahead of the final on May 27,” he said.
Mabutho, a die-hard Manchester United fan, said he was looking forward to seeing the Jose Mourinho-led side play against Tottenham in the final of this year’s FA Cup.
“A Man United versus Tottenham final will be a great match,” Mabutho said. “We have seen a United versus Arsenal final many times, and we want to see something different. Tottenham is playing good football, and a final match with Man United will be a delight to watch. But if Man United fail to make it to the final, I want to see a Chelsea versus Spurs in the final.”
Mabutho, a football analyst also stated that the involvement of DStv in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) had brought out the best in the league, adding that the organization had bigger plans to transform the NPFL and leagues in other African countries.
He further assured the fans that DStv would continue with its broadcast of the English Premier League matches in the coming season as against speculations in some quarters that the body will end its broadcast right with the EPL this season.
Source: G Sport
