ABU Titans defeated Lagos Marines in the first official American Football Game hosted in Nigeria AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, HOSTED THE FIRST OFFICIAL AMERICAN FOOTBALL GAME TO BE PLAYED IN NIGERIA AT ITS STADIUM IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE. Formed five years ago, the ABU Titans based in Zaria did no have any opponent to play until the Lagos Marines were formed about a year and a half ago. The ABU Titans won the game 26-20. Lagos Marines was initiated by Ominik Müller and he wants Nigerians to pay more attention to the sport because "it alludes to many of the character traits that Nigerians posses dynamism, speed, strength and much more.’ "If you consider the success of players of Nigerian descent in the college and professional level, the potential is there ," Muller said . "It is a stepping stone for kids who might not have a shot in the soccer route because of being considered too big or not skillful enough. " Mueller’s vision is to get the game introduced into the University level and maybe to secondary schools who can afford to have the program as an elective program at least and develop young players. Speaking in an interview after the encounter, President of the Nigerian Institute of American Football, Professor Adamu Ahmed said that he was impressed by the impact the first outing had on the spectators. “ We are really thrilled and excited about the huge followership this first game is getting,” he said. He explained that the thought of the institute was first muted in 2012, during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of ABU, a decision all stakeholders are today very proud of. “ Through a network of Alumni of ABU, led by NBA star, Ejike Ugboaja, we were able to bring coaches to Nigeria to lecture in seminars. We then started the national secretariat at the ABU Faculty of Agriculture ,” he explained. He said that the Vice Chancellor of the University has contributed tremendously in the development of the game so far, by providing moral and financial support. “ The Vice Chancellor was magnanimous in starting a Certificate Course in American Football which will in no time, transform into a Diploma Course, ” he informed.