Nigeria Professional Football League

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Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)
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Founded1972; 52 years ago (1972)
CountryNigeria
ConfederationCAF
Number of teams20
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toNigeria National League
Domestic cup(s)Nigerian FA Cup
Nigerian Super Cup
Super 4 (Nigeria)
International cup(s)Champions League
Confederation Cup
Current championsEnyimba F.C. (2019) [1]
Most championshipsEnyimba F.C. (8)
TV partnersSuperSport
Websitenpfl.ng
Current: 2019–2020 Nigeria Professional Football League

The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) is the highest level of the Nigerian football league system, for the Nigerian Club-football Championships. The Nigerian top-division has experienced dwindling fortunes since the late 2000s. [2] [3] It is fed into by the Nigeria National League (NNL). It is organised by the League Management Company (LMC).

Name

It was formerly known as the Nigerian Premier League for the second time, as of the 2012/2013 Season from the 2003/2004 Season; "Nigerian Premiership" (2000–2003); "Nigerian Premier League", first time (1993–2000); "Nigerian Professional League" (1990–1993); Nigerian National League - First Division (1979–1990) and "the (Nigerian) National League" or "Nigerian Football League" (1972–1979), [4]

The League Management Company

This is the legal League board or body that was incorporated in November 2012, by the Nigeria Football Federation to take over the nearly-collapsed NPL. The first step the LMC took was to rebrand the League name, from the Nigerian Premier League to the Nigerian Professional Football League, (NPFL) or simply the Professional 'Football' League) (P'F'L) i.e. just "Professional League" or "Football League" inside Nigeria.[5][6]

In 2015, the League Management Company solicited financial support from the Government in order to "upgrade of existing grounds and provision of required broadcast equipment and facilities in the stadiums”.[7]

International Partnerships

On 27 April 2016, The Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) organisers of the La Liga sealed a five-year memorandum of understanding deal with the NPFL on capacity building and idea exchange signed by the League Management Company chairman, Shehu Dikko and the La Liga President Javier Tebas. The NPFL and La Liga partnership has already started bearing fruit as during the January transfer window, Super Eagles fringe player Ezekiel Bassey was signed on loan from Enyimba to Barcelona B on a six-month deal with an option of 3-years come end of the season based on performance. The NPFL AllStars (made up of the league's best players) have also been playing Pre-Season as well as Winter break friendlies with top flight Spanish sides like Atlético Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Villareal etc. In an effort to expose and test Local players against top players and sides.

In Thursday, 25 May 2017, The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) alongside the League Management Company (LMC), also consummated a multi-faceted strategic agreement in general football development with the Football Federation and Premier League body of the Kingdom of Morocco, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and NFF 2nd Vice-President/ LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding with their Moroccan counterparts, the result of detailed discussions, deliberations and considerations over time. The two FA Presidents signed their own sides in the Office of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football in Rabat, while the LMC 's Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Chairman of the Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel, (which organises the Botola, Said Naciri signed at the LNFP office, watched by the two FA bosses.[8]

Eunisell has also been a sponsor of NPFL.[9]

History

2017 season

Plateau United F.C. won the league on 9 September 2017, with a 2–0 victory over Enugu Rangers.[10]

2018 season

In July 2018 the league was postponed indefinitely following crisis in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).[11][12] Lobi Stars was declared as the sole representative of the league in the 2019 CAF Champions League as the team was at the top of the standings.[13]

2019 season

The league consisted of 24 teams. Four were promoted from the Nigeria National League. Twenty teams remained from the previous season which was not completed. They were divided into two groups of 12 teams. The top three teams in each group contested for The title in the NPFL Super six championship playoff in Lagos. The People's Elephant finished at the top of the log with 12 points from five games.

Awards

In 2012, the NPL was ranked as the best in Africa and 24th best in the world by the IFFHS, the rating puts it a spot above the Scottish Premier League for the year.[14][15]

Past champions

Champions by season

Most titles won

Clubs Championship Years
Enyimba (Aba) 8 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019
Rangers International (Enugu) 7 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016
Shooting Stars (Ibadan) 5 1976, 1980, 1983, 1995, 1998
Heartland F.C. (Owerri) 5 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993
Kano Pillars (Kano) 4 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014
Dolphin (Port Harcourt) (Includes Eagle Cement) 3 1997, 2004, 2011
Bendel Insurance (Benin City) 2 1973, 1979
Julius Berger (Lagos) 2 1991, 2000
Lobi Stars (Makurdi) 1 1999
BCC Lions (Gboko) 1 1994
Stationery Stores (Lagos) 1 1992
Leventis United (Ibadan) 1 1986
Plateau United (Jos) 1 2017
Bayelsa United (Yenegoa) 1 2009
Ocean Boys (Brass) 1 2006
Udoji United (Awka) 1 1996
New Nigeria Bank (Benin City) 1 1985
Racca Rovers (Kano) 1 1978
Mighty Jets (Jos) 1 1972

Topscorers

Year Best/Top scorers Team Goals
1990 [16] Nigeria Ishaya Jatau Iwuanyanwu Nationale 17
1991 Nigeria Richard Ojomo Bendel United 12
1992 Nigeria Arthur Moses Super Stores 10
1993 Nigeria Tony Nwigwe Iwuanyanwu Nationale 13
1994 Nigeria Olumide Harris Shooting Stars 14
1995 Nigeria Ben Agawam Gombe United F.C. 12
1996 Nigeria Peter Anyiolobi Enyimba 9
1997 Democratic Republic of the Congo Paul Kpoughoul Jasper United/BCC Lions 16
1998 Nigeria Hassan Minna Gombe United 14
1999 Nigeria Emmanuel Ago Iwuanyanwu Nationale 14
2000 Nigeria Peter Ijeh Julius Berger 14
2001 Nigeria Uche Okereke Enugu Rangers 13
2002 Ghana Joetex Frimpong El-Kanemi Warriors 16
2003 Nigeria Chibuzor Ozurumba
Nigeria Endurance Idahor		 Iwuanyanwu Nationale
Julius Berger		 13
2004 Nigeria Kabiru Alausa Julius Berger 13
2005 Nigeria Timothy Anjembe
NigeriaJoseph Akpala		 Lobi Stars
Bendel Insurance		 12
2006 Nigeria Ikechukwu Ibenegbu El-Kanemi Warriors 10
2007 Nigeria Aruwa Ameh Kaduna United 10
2008 Nigeria Abubakar Babale Wikki Tourists/Sunshine Stars 14
2009 Nigeria Orok Akarandut Akwa United 17
2010 Nigeria Ahmed Musa Kano Pillars 18
2011 Nigeria Jude Aneke Kaduna United 20
2012 [17] Nigeria Sibi Gwar Niger Tornadoes 17
2013 [17] Nigeria Victor Namo Nasarawa United 18
2014 [17] Nigeria Mfon Udoh Enyimba 23
2015 [18] Nigeria Gbolahan Salami Warri Wolves 17
2016 [17] Nigeria Godwin Obaje Wikki Tourists 18
2017 Nigeria Anthony Okpotu Lobi Stars 19
2018[9] Nigeria Junior Lokosa Kano Pillars 19
2019 Nigeria Mfon Udoh Nigeria Sunusi Ibrahim Akwa united . Nasarawa united 10

References

  1. ^ Vanguardngr.com https://guardian.ng/sport/enyimba-thrash-akwa-united-win-record-seventh-npfl-title/ampLeague. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Walker, Andrew (28 July 2008). "Africa | Is Premier League killing Nigerian football?". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  3. ^ Category: Weekend. "Guardian News Website – Dwindling fortunes of Nigeria's premier league". Ngrguardiannews.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Nigeria Champions". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ Ahmadu, Samuel (22 August 2015). "Shehu Dikko appeals to governors for stadia facilities upgrade". Goal. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ a b "Lokosa Gets Eunisell's N3.8m, Trophy as NPFL Top Scorer". ThisDay. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Plateau United wins Nigerian Professional Football League". Vanguardngr.com.
  11. ^ "Nigerian league postponed indefinitely". Bbc.co.uk. 17 July 2018.
  12. ^ "LMC announces indefinite postponement of NPFL resumption". Nigeria Professional Football League. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  13. ^ Harry, Iwuala (1 September 2018). "LMC Document on season conclusion". npfl.ng. League Management Company. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Kenyan League ranked Worst in Africa". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  15. ^ "KPL becomes last in IFFHS World rankings". Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  16. ^ "The Nigerian league's top scorers' jinx – SuperSport – Football". SuperSport. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d "ODEY'S TARGET: Top Scorers In Last Five NPFL Seasons". Complete Sports.
  18. ^ "Gbolahan Salami finishes as NPFL's top scorer". DailyPost Nigeria. Retrieved 30 January 2018.

External links

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