The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has produced exciting football, club rivalry, and off-the-field drama for a little over two years, culminating in 2022 when the football league’s administration— League Management Committee— which oversaw the runnings of the football league for a decade, was declared illegal by Nigeria’s government through its Sports Ministry. After declaring the LMC illegal and rendering them defunct, a new administrative body, the Interim Management Committee, was established to oversee the 2022/2023 season.
Despite the league’s terrible image off the field, football clubs appear to be undeterred and are introducing a new wave of popularity to the NPFL. Teams like Remo Stars, Sporting Lagos, Bendel Insurance, and Enyimba are taking fan engagement seriously with superb social media representation, accessible content, and witty banter, resulting in increased visibility for their teams and a positive impact on the League.
Where are we now?
The Interim Management Committee has ensured that the 22/23 NPFL season was played in an abridged format, with two groups housing the 20 teams. Six teams qualified for the Super 6 playoff, where Enyimba Football Club of Aba became the eventual champions, taking their tally of the NPFL to nine and gaining a spot in the CAF Champions League. Remo Stars finished second and Rivers United earned third place, with the former earning a place in the CAF Champions League and the latter a CAF Confederation Cup slot.
The NNL, the second tier of the Nigerian football league promoted four teams to the NPFL for the 23/24 season: Kano Pillars, Heartland of Owerri, Katsina United, and the new kid on the block, Sporting Lagos, which has taken the league by storm in just two years.
Preseason competitions are underway, and teams like Sporting Lagos have made a name for themselves by winning the inaugural Preseason tournament, The Naija Super 8, after overcoming traditional opponents like Shooting Stars and Akwa United.
There is something to look out for in the 23/24 Season, and if you are a first-time fan, here are three reasons why you should watch the season, which begins September 9th, 2023, and will feature 340 matches.
3 Reasons you should watch the 23/24 NPFL season.
Sporting Lagos
A two-year-old non-traditional Lagos-based team is bringing football back to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. I hope Eko Akete is ready! There are only a few sides in the Nigerian League with the swagger Sporting Lagos has, based on its outstanding branding, backed by a promotion to the NPFL in two years and a Naija Super 8 trophy. It is Sporting Lagos’ time to cook, surely a well-fitting meal will be served. The Shola Akinlade-owned squad has been well invested in, which is why they’re the first reason you must see the NPFL, this season
The team, led by Coach Paul Offoh is also gaining popularity for their crisp football, as evidenced by their latest performance, which saw them upset another fan favorite, Remo Stars, on their path to a Naija Super 8 victory. Sporting Lagos’ recruitment is also looking promising, with the additions of Junior Lokosa and Olisema Ekene from Remo Stars and Warri Wolves, respectively, indicating serious business players.
The club’s tsunami of young support, with their vuvuzelas producing a cacophony of joy, should not be overlooked. Sporting Lagos will undoubtedly light up the NPFL next season- an underdog win will cap it all off.
The Derbies
What is a good league without heated rivalries? Since the league’s start, the NPFL has been recognized for its hotly contested derbies, and next season will be no exception. The South West Derby and the Oriental Derby would be at the forefront of this exciting battle.
Here is a list of Fierce Derbies you should watch out for.
Enyimba vs Heartland
Remo Stars Shooting Stars
Remo Stars vs Sunshine Stars
Heartland vs Rangers
Kano Pillars vs Katsina United
Sporting Lagos vs Shooting Stars
Sporting Lagos vs Remo Stars
Sporting Lago vs Sunshine Stars
With these mouthwatering fixtures, you are in for such exciting games.
Accessibility
For the longest time, fans have complained about the difficulty of seeing NPFL games on TV or online, but for the 23/24 season, things are expected to change thanks to GTI/TNFF, the NPFL’s media arm’s collaboration with Propel Sport.
Propel Sports, the league’s official television broadcasters, has announced that the firm is currently committed to broadcasting eight of the ten games contested on each matchday, with plans in place to gain the rights to the remaining two games in order to provide fans with complete matchday coverage. Games played at eight different locations will be available on their app. Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Uyo, Gombe, Jos, Kano, and Katsina are among the locations.
Propel Sports will use AI cameras for the coverage of the league in the upcoming season. The organization will live stream the matches via the app NPFL app
Here’s a full list of Stadiums where these cameras will be deployed
Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin
Enyimba International Stadium, Aba
Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano
Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos
Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City
Pantami Stadium, Gombe
Leland Salami Stadium, Ibadan
Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos
The NPFL has a lot to offer supporters as the season begins. If you’re biased by the negatives heard about the NPFL, now is the time to change your mind.
Photo Credits: Sporting Lagos, Instagram
Photo Credit: Propel Sports Africa Instagram