The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, has opened up on the challenges facing Nigerian football clubs on the continental stage despite the remarkable progress in the domestic league.
In recent years, the NPFL has witnessed significant improvements, particularly in officiating, which has eliminated the notorious “win-at-home-at-all-cost” syndrome. Now, teams can win or lose regardless of venue, creating a more competitive and exciting league that has seen fans returning to stadiums. Additionally, with at least four NPFL matches broadcast weekly on StarTimes and available via live streaming, visibility for Nigerian football has increased.
However, Elegbeleye acknowledges that despite these strides, Nigerian clubs continue to struggle in CAF competitions. He attributes this to the mass exodus of players, stating, “When a club wins the league, nine or ten key players leave before the next season. That weakens the team and makes it difficult for them to compete on the continent.”
The NPFL boss insists that the quality of Nigerian coaches is not the issue, pointing to successful tacticians like Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars) and Fidelis Ilechukwu (Enugu Rangers) as examples of local coaches capable of competing at the highest level. Instead, he believes the instability caused by constant player departures disrupts team cohesion.
To address this, the NPFL is considering new contract regulations to ensure players stay for at least two years with their clubs. Additionally, efforts are being made to encourage private ownership of clubs to reduce dependence on state governments, which currently fund most teams.
While acknowledging that Nigerian players often leave for financial reasons, Elegbeleye revealed that some are already returning after realizing that leagues in smaller African nations do not necessarily offer a better life. He remains optimistic that with sustained reforms, Nigerian clubs will regain their dominance in African football.
“We want Nigerians to believe in the NPFL. It’s our own, and only we can make it the league of our dreams,” he concluded.
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