The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season was a spectacle, filled with the finest football action both on and off the pitch, rekindling a fervor for Nigerian league football that had not been seen in nearly a decade. As Culture Custodian predicted, this season delivered intense rivalries and passionate fan engagement, making fans wonder where this level of excitement had been. Let’s delve into the high points, low points, and areas for improvement to ensure the momentum carries forward.
Highlights of the 2023/2024 NPFL Season
The season was marked by numerous high points across all 38 matches played. Completing the full schedule of home and away games was a significant achievement, considering past seasons often faced cancellations or were shortened to an 18-game format. This consistency was particularly commendable given the two mid-season breaks.
Fan engagement was another major positive, notably driven by clubs like Sporting Lagos. They revolutionized the narrative around young fandom in the NPFL, with their energetic support in creating new trends online. This enthusiasm quickly spread across the league, as fans of various clubs began showcasing their passion and dedication.
The season also featured memorable derbies. The Southwest Derby between Sporting Lagos and Remo Stars, where the Lagosians triumphed 4-1, and the Oriental Derby between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba, which attracted over 50,000 fans to the 35,000-capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, were particularly noteworthy. These high points highlighted the league’s potential and set a standard for future seasons.
Low Points of the 2023/2024 NPFL Season
Despite the season’s successes, several low points emerged. Refereeing decisions were a significant issue, exemplified by the controversial use of a television broadcast van as a makeshift VAR during the Enyimba vs. Doma United match, leading to a dubious goal for Enyimba. Such incidents highlighted the need for better officiating standards.
Another disappointment is the relegation of Sporting Lagos, a team which brought much glamor and excitement to the league. Their demotion after just one season in the top flight was a blow to the NPFL’s growing popularity. The season also ended sourly at the Enyimba vs. Rangers game, where pitch invaders disrupted the match towards its conclusion, leaving a negative impression on an otherwise thrilling season.
Final League Table Overview
Enugu Rangers: Champions with 70 points (21 wins, 7 draws, 10 losses, +23 goal difference).
- Remo Stars: Secured the second CAF Champions League spot with 65 points (20 wins, 5 draws, 13 losses, +14 goal difference).
- Enyimba: Finished third with 63 points, earning a place in the CAF Confederation Cup (19 wins, 6 draws, 13 losses, +13 goal difference).
- Shooting Stars: Narrowly missed out on continental competition with 62 points (18 wins, 8 draws, 12 losses, +14 goal difference).
- Plateau United: Finished fifth with 58 points (18 wins, 4 draws, 16 losses, +13 goal difference).
Mid-Table Performers
- – Lobi Stars (6th) and Katsina United (7th): Consistent performances with 58 and 55 points respectively.
- – Rivers United (8th) and Bendel Insurance (9th): Fluctuating seasons with 53 points each.
- – Sunshine Stars (10th): Strong finish with 52 points.
- – Kano Pillars (11th) and Abia Warriors (12th): Ended with 52 points each, with goal differences of -1 and -3 respectively.
- – Kwara United (13th) and Niger Tornadoes (14th): Balanced performances with 51 points each.
- – Bayelsa United (15th) and Akwa United (16th): Finished just above the relegation zone with 50 and 49 points respectively.
Relegated Teams
- – Sporting Lagos (17th): Relegated with 46 points (12 wins, 10 draws, 16 losses, -5 goal difference).
- – Doma United (18th): Relegated with 44 points (11 wins, 11 draws, 16 losses, -16 goal difference).
- – Heartland (19th): Relegated with 38 points (9 wins, 11 draws, 18 losses, -14 goal difference).
- – Gombe United (20th): Finished last with 25 points (8 wins, 7 draws, 23 losses, -57 goal difference).
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