NPFL Chairman Eyeing African Football Dominance
African League to Aspire for Superiority - Chairman Elegbeleye's Claim
Grab a chair and get comfortable, 'cause Gbenga Elegbeleye, the big cheese of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), is laying down his game plan to make the league the crown jewel of African football.
Over the past few seasons, Elegbeleye's team has been quietly working their magic, giving the league a much-needed facelift. He's not just talking the talk; thanks to their hard work, the NPFL has rocketed up the rankings, scoring a spot at 12th in Africa according to the five-year ranking by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The 2024-2025 season's almost at its end, with Remo Stars edging ever closer to their inaugural title, and Elegbeleye's got his eye on delivering a flawless finish. He ain't just about bluster; he's all about backing up his words with action.
"Let me be clear," he said, "We're pumped and ready for whatever comes our way. We're in this for the long haul, and our goal is to run a polished and efficient league through to the final day."
With Nigerians loving what they see and trusting in the team's efforts, Elegbeleye believes the best days are yet to come. "Trust me," he said, "We're dedicated to continuous improvement. I have no doubt that Nigeria's football future will be shining as the brightest in Africa."
So, what's the secret to the NPFL's recent success? Elegbeleye believes it's all about strategic moves, like adding more cash to the pot for the league winner (currently a whopping N200 million), and setting a reliable competition calendar that stretches from August to May.
But it's not just about the money or the schedule. Elegbeleye's got his eye on the bigger picture, working to make the NPFL more appealing to sponsors and fans alike by raising the stakes.
To stay on top, the NPFL needs to keep evolving, and Elegbeleye's got a plan. "Our aim is to keep pushing the boundaries, climbing to new heights, and making the league more attractive to everyone involved," he said.
With global standards in his sights, Elegbeleye's committed to making sure the NPFL syncs up with the rest of the football world. "By aligning our calendar with that of the wider football community, our players can aim for opportunities without worrying about letting their clubs down," he explained.
And the rewards are already starting to pay off. Nigeria's entitled to send two teams to the preliminary rounds of both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, and Elegbeleye's got high hopes for the future.
But there's a problem: Nigerian clubs are struggling to make an impact on the continental stage. Elegbeleye's focused on solving this issue and making sure the success at home doesn't lead to the offloading of star players.
With the 2024-2025 NPFL title almost in the bag for Remo Stars, it's shaping up to be an exciting time for Nigerian football fans. And with Elegbeleye at the helm, it looks like the future's looking brighter than ever for the NPFL.
So stay tuned, because there's gonna be plenty more to talk about as the season winds down and we watch the NPFL continue to rise to the top of the African football scene.
- Gbenga Elegbeleye, the chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), aspires for the league to become the dominant force in African football.
- The NPFL, under Elegbeleye's leadership, has seen a significant improvement, jumping to the 12th spot in Africa's five-year ranking by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
- In the upcoming 2024-2025 season, Remo Stars are close to clinching their first title, with Elegbeleye aiming for a flawless finish.
- Elegbeleye intends to prioritize maintaining a polished and efficient league from August to May, aligning the NPFL's calendar with the rest of the football world.
- To increase the league's appeal, Elegbeleye plans to raise the stakes by attracting more sponsors and fans, and offering a substantial cash prize for the league winner.
- Despite Nigerian clubs facing challenges on the continental stage, Elegbeleye remains committed to keeping the stars at home, ensuring the NPFL's success is sustainable.
