There are no doubts that the League Management Company (LMC) lead by seasoned sport administrator, Shehu Dikko, has brought tremendous transformations in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) evident from good officiating, security and increased match attendance in various match venues.
From better performance of players, inclusion of local players in the national assignment and even international transfer. All this positive results are making marks for the NPFL in the international football community.
The NPFL and LaLiga partnership has also started bearing fruit, during the January transfer window, Super Eagles fringe player Ezekiel Bassey was signed on loan from Enyimba FC to Barcelona B on a six-month deal with an option of 3 years deal by end of the season based on performance.
In an effort to expose and test Local players against top players and sides, the NPFL AllStars (made up of the league’s best players) who are currently playing in the Future Champions Gauteng International Tournament have also been playing Pre-Season as well as Winter break friendlies with top flight Spanish sides like Atletico Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Villareal etc.
Over the past four seasons, the LMC has been working with clubs on strategies to win back fans to match venues after years of dwindling attendance due to poor quality of pitches and absence of adequate security amongst others. This season has seen bunch of developments in the area of march attendance and the LMC is working hard to “ensure strict compliance with safety measures at match venues against the back drop of increasing spectatorship at matches of the NPFL”
Recently, Nigerian football clubs, including Enyimba, Kano Pillars Shooting Stars, Enugu Rangers, MFM, Wikki Tourists, Gombe United, and El-Kanemi Warriors, were nominated by the League Management Company (LMC) Limited to list on the NASD OTC Securities Exchange.
The League Management Company (LMC) Limited nominated these eight clubs to serve as pilots, preparatory to the full listing of all interested football clubs. Already, the LMC has invited issuing houses in the country, which can act as financial advisers to these football clubs to express interest.
Also, winning fans interest would not have possible if the league had not improved on the quality of games played which has being a priority of the LMC. The results of this have being visibly improved every season, with emphasis on this season and the last. In this season we have seen a paradox shift in the set of teams toping the table.
Defending champions Enugu Rangers are finding it difficult to replicate last season’s performance, which saw them win the league.
Toping the log is Lagos based MFM FC with 30 points from 16 games, followed by Plateau United on 29 points, El Kanemi, 27 points are third and Kano Pillars fourth with 24 points from 15 matches.
For MFM, history has been made as the miraculous goal by Sikiru Olatunbosun won the CNN ‘Goal of the week’ with 82% votes of the 6,647 votes cast.
For the Olukoya Boys toping the table is a good sign as they set out to win the league. MFM head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu though young and has performed well just two years at the NPLF.
Fidelis assured that the team is solid and ready to make its mark this season saying; “MFM has only two options this season, to win the league title or get a ticket to the continent at the end of the season.” Hoping for the best, MFM fans are bracing up for a great season ahead and praying against a repeat of last seasons dropout as the team had a great start last season, but fell out at a bad time. Fans are hoping that the team will be able to meet up with the expectation the coach as passed out.
As the league moves on fans are out for a good time seeing league get better, make history and taking great turns.
Wonderful surprises are anticipated as the fans turn out to see first hand football actions and intriguing results in various matches. Indeed, the Nigerian league is growing.
Anthony Nlebem & Hezron Atunde
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