Joebie:
Enyimba don score away to Energie Sports Benin Rep. 5 mins

good

Enyimba also playing away to Energi fc of Benin and they are leading 2:0.

First half..great result!

MFM fc vs MC Algiers 0:0 first half.

Icon79:
Up Rangers!!!

O pari

up Plateau united

somehow:
Then players earned less than #100k, you can check your records.

Now NPFL players earn between #80k (minimum) to #700k.

On average, players earn around #150k.

I think Kano pillars have the highest number of players earning between #300k and #700k.


League winner earn between #50M and #100M, I think it's 20M for cup now, not so sure, then it was #10m for the league and #5m for cup.

Participating in the league now earns you #10M, you get #500k for away win and I think you get some money for away goals too.

The money in the league now has tripled.

@Getting another Job, do you like what is currently happening to Enyimba and have you had time to discuss with Anyasi?

1. Time value of money.
2. What was the exchange rate then?
3. As at that 2003-2004 I know a couple of Enyimba star players earning more than that. Be sides we used to see them around the streets in Aba and when they came for training, the kind of cars they drove. The least car driven by an Enyimba player then was a Mercedes Benz V-boot. As at that time this was a car driven by "big boys". Not that this tells all the story but just that it tells you that they were at least still earning something reasonable.

Note that not all clubs win the title so not all clubs get that price money.

The truth is our clubs are not run like Businesses.
Anyasi Agu then tried all he could to raise Enyimba into a team that would not be dependent on the state government. We expanded our stadium to increase revenue from Gate takings, and also to prevent CAF from moving a game like the CAF Champions league final to a more befitting stadium like they did in 2004, moving it to the Abuja stadium. There was this sponsorship drive by the Enyimba management.

But, the Nigerian economy always has a way of wearing its ugly head. Plus Enyimba lost most of its golden generation players to clubs outside the country.How much were the transfer fees then? Peanuts compared to what we have now. There was also a change in Government and our football loving Enyimba governor, Orji Uzor Kalu was replaced by Theodore Orji, that does not value football.

Anyasi Agu has really managed to keep the club afloat as Enyimba are always playing continental football. The club has a pedigree that must be respected and maintained.

Anyasi, I still call him "my big boss" any day. We are still in communication. But he is not that Felix Anyasi Agu that we used to know then that would tell you that "Enyimba is too strong for CAF Champions league, we will start competing in Europe". The club no longer enjoys the full patronage of the state government like before through the commissioner for sports. But he and the entire board have really tried to keep Enyimba afloat even despite these challenges.

I had the opportunity of being attached to Okey Emordi (Enyimba's coach for 2003/2004) after my coaching training. But Baba God answered my call somewhere else

Kadiri Ikhana was also a coach I so much admired his style of play. Enyimba learnt how to play football under coach Ikhana

Is Junior Ajayi a true out and out striker? If that's the case then he's likely to displace Ighalo if he performs. I have never been a big Ighalo fan but I foresee him going to Russia as he's the only true striker in the team. But if Ajayi plays more as a SS, then he's likely to replace Ahmed Musa. No sentiments!


O pari

aadvark:
The long awaited friendly list is out, Junior Ajayi of Egypt's Al Ahly gets invite, but what do we expect? What exactly does Ajayi bring to the Eagles front line?
His record in his club says its goals, goals and goals.

Ajayi has proven to be very prolific for his club this season, practically tearing through teams. His proficiency in front of goal will be of value to the Eagles as they hope for a strong outing at the world cup.

But as I type this, one question nags my mind. If he performs well in the friendlies, as I have a hunch he will, who will be dropped from the Eagles attack to accommodate him? The eagles attack is one position that is star studded, with names like Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Simon Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo. So who will take the fall?

It's easy to point to Odion Ighalo, whose goal return has not been very impressive for the Eagles. Ajayi on the other hand knows how to put the ball in the net. But for a second, let's put on our analytical glasses.

The eagles usually play a 4-3-3formation with one top striker who is expected to not just score goals but also offer good hold up play. This Odion Ighalo does excellently, as we saw in the double header with Cameroon in the WC qualifiers. He can also drift to either wing and take on a man successfully, offering the sort of service that Real Madrid's Benzema does to his team. So even tho he doesn't score much, he is some sort of foil for the team, as his service makes it easy for various players to pop up with the goals.

Now can Ajayi offer that apart from the goals? The truth is that, if he provides decent enough hold up play in addition to goals, then I will be very sorry for Ighalo.

But hey, the friendlies are here, the stage is set, and a good performance from the Egypt-based goal machine might just worsen Rohr's headache. I for my part shall be on hand to hand him some Emzor paracetamol, lol.

LOL. Which Plateau United? The one way chop 4 goals the other day, abi na another one?


O pari

maidaboi:
up Plateau united

Icon79:
Up Rangers!!!


O pari

maidaboi:
up Plateau united

Up MFM, Up Remo Stars.

Icon79:
LOL. Which Plateau United? The one way chop 4 goals the other day, abi na another one?


O pari

U wicked

Lol

Just keeping it real, bro. Just keeping it real


O pari

Danycrusoe:


U wicked

Lol

Icon79:
Is Junior Ajayi a true out and out striker? If that's the case then he's likely to displace Ighalo if he performs. I have never been a big Ighalo fan but I foresee him going to Russia as he's the only true striker in the team. But if Ajayi plays more as a SS, then he's likely to replace Ahmed Musa. No sentiments!


O pari

iheanacho can be displace too not only ighalo

somehow:
Enyimba also playing away to Energi fc of Benin and they are leading 2:0.

First half..great result!

MFM fc vs MC Algiers 0:0 first half.

Yeah, following this too.

Icon79:
LOL. Which Plateau United? The one way chop 4 goals the other day, abi na another one?


O pari

how many goals Rangers chop last year caf champions league?
They go collect if the play plateau united #fact

Icon79:
Is Junior Ajayi a true out and out striker? If that's the case then he's likely to displace Ighalo if he performs. I have never been a big Ighalo fan but I foresee him going to Russia as he's the only true striker in the team. But if Ajayi plays more as a SS, then he's likely to replace Ahmed Musa. No sentiments!


O pari

Both.

He plays both as an SS and a CF. Though he is naturally a CF. He does well as a lone striker.

I remember we all proposed possible solutions to NPFL's niggling issues some months back. I have a compilation of most if not all of the suggestions back then and I should v posted it here as asked by Sir Terzurum but I was waiting for a time when we all v our attentions on the Npfl and dx seems like the right time to do that. Please these suggestions are from all of us here and incase u v a new idea u can chip it in.

Possible Solutions To NPFL's Niggling Issues

Fans and enthusiastic lovers of the Nigeria Professional Football League are already looking forward to the new league season which starts in few days.

Last season saw improvements in the league and many expect a higher level of improvement this time around especially with the new TV deal with NTA.

However, some are still pessimistic about watching the league stating, Security, Poor players welfare, Empty seats in Stadiums on match days, low publicity of the leagues and poor level of performance by the players amongst many other negatives.

Fortunately, some segments of Nigerian football fans have rendered their opinion and suggestions on the way forward which they hope will help the LMC

■ PRIVATISATION Of CLUBS

A larger percent of Npfl clubs are owned by their respective state governments, and this mean players are owed salaries, clubs flout some LMC rules and go unpunished. The best and biggest clubs in World football are not government owned, if not privately owned, they would rather be community owned or runned by fans.

Government clubs should be sold to interested private individuals or organisations. Club football is a big business hence it should be run as one and not as a governmental organisation.

Also there is a need to make fans feel attached to their respective clubs and this can be done by Community ownership of the club's.

Privatisation of the clubs will also ensure that issues of players protests due to unpaid salaries and bonuses will END.

It is not a must that government should hold on to the maintenance and ownership of clubs. If they still want to retain that, they should outsource to management companies. Companies with solid pedigree in management consultancy services. They are to do research on how this things are done , the acceptable standards, running of club affairs and report back to the government with good details. It will still be a win win situation. This gives room to quality and committment

■ RESTRUCTURING THE LEAGUE

Due to the large size of the country and risk of travelling by road to match centers, fans are discouraged to visit away grounds in the league unless when the away ground is in a neighbouring state or community.

Apart from that, there have been cases of accidents, highway robbery encountered by teams on their way to or from away grounds. Kano pillars, Ifeanyi Ubah and kwara united have all been recently involved in road mishaps in recent times.

An Abridged league as adopted by the Nigerian National League or The Major League Soccer in USA can be used from subsequent seasons in order to reduce lengths traveled by teams and increase the number fans who travel to away games.

■ ENLIGHTENMENT OF REFEREES

Refereeing is one part of the Nigerian league which leaves a lot to be desired. Frequent reports of favouring home teams, cancelling of legitimate goals and issuing of late penalties and red cards in order to favour a particular team gas turned fans away.

The league has been ridiculed as an "Home win only " league where away wins are rare. Many league matches have been abandoned in times past due to referee's questionable calls

If the LMC can work with the Nigerian Referees Association to psyche up match officials, many are of the belive that it will reflect in results on match days

Also renumeration payed to the match officials should improve as this will reduce cases of bribery. Referees should also be given maximum security before, during and after matches to reduce, influencing, threatening and violent acts against referees.

Some segment of fans also feel there is a need to have a minimum requirement before a referee can handle at game in the Npfl so as to increase the quality of officiating.

■ REBRANDING, REPACKAGING AND AWARENESS

Many pontential local league fans are lost to the allure and exposure to the foreign leagues. This is helped by the lackadaisical attitude of the LMC and clubs to properly use the available media for promotional of football activities like match previews and reviews, player transfers, change in match schedule, live commentaries of matches and pictures from the field of play.

The LMC on their part should focus on embarking on a vigorous awareness campaign for the league. Twitter hash tags and post are not enough, Television and Radio stations and Newspapers should be effectively utilised to preach and spread the gospel of the NPFL far and wide.

Also all NPFL clubs should be forced to run at least 3 social media pages and website. This will help fans get in touch and stay up to date with Match schedule and other activities.

Also clubs should make use of billboards, posters and other forms of advertisement to promote their image.

■ DEFAULTERS OF LMC RULES SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH IRRESPECTIVE OF THE OFFENDERS

Owing of players wages, violence by supporters, players and officials and abandonment of league matches should be dealt with instantaneously and harshly so as to serve a lesson to others.

■ INCREASED SECURITY AT MATCH VENUES

The number of security officials dispatched to match venues are sometimes not enough, this gives fans and home team officials a chance to constitute violence during games

Security is one way fans have found to excuse themselves from match centres, while there has been improvement recently, we expect more to still be done to totally eradicate violence at match centres.


■ STADIUMS AND PITCHES SHOULD BE WELL MAINTAINED

Many pitches in the NPFL leave a lot to be desired and while many of them are artificial surfaces a few of them are natural grass.

The natural grass pitches are not well maintained to suit the camera, the case of U.J Esuene Stadium during the match between Enyimba and Mfm last season is an example, where the pitch was in a bad state and yet was televised on TV.

Many pitches in the NPFL need to be upgraded and we hope the LMC can work to that effect and any team which fails to adhere should be punished accordingly.

We the fans itch for a time where all the playing surfaces of all the teams in the league will b natural grass and it will be a welcomed development if the LMC can consider it.

■ PUBLIC RE-ORIENTATION

The entire populace need to understand that there is career in sports. Sports is now big business and should be treated as such. The idea of non partisan followership of the League in nigeria needs to be set aside and looked into wholistically. Clubs need to be a thing of personal possession on the part of the fans.

■ SOCCER AT GRASSROOT

Gone are the days when schools had Principals cup, State cup and so on, many of this grassroot tourneys are not being held again. Even inter house sports where other high schools were invited seems to be a thing of the past. What happened to YSFON?
Lets bring back the days of youth involvement in our sports, the NUGA games, even if possible, introduce Varsity League.

■ ACCOUNTABILITY

This one is the most controversial part of all. Players play so they can earn. Whether they lost is not a reason to withold their Salaries. Salaries need to be paid on time without any form of coercion or mass action in the way of players goin on strike.. accountability with respect to gate takings and club policies need to be spelt out.


Cc: Icon4s, Somehow, Bascovanveli, Omanbala, Tbaba1234, Thesupernerd, Terzurum5, Kog45, Soetanoreoluwa et all

Goal for MFM!!

Danycrusoe:
I remember we all proposed possible solutions to NPFL's niggling issues some months back. I have a compilation of most if not all of the suggestions back then and I should v posted it here as asked by Sir Terzurum but I was waiting for a time when we all v our attentions on the Npfl and dx seems like the right time to do that. Please these suggestions are from all of us here and incase u v a new idea u can chip it in.


Fans and enthusiastic lovers of the Nigeria Professional Football League are already looking forward to the new league season which starts in few days.

Last season saw improvements in the league and many expect a higher level of improvement this time around especially with the new TV deal with NTA.

However, some are still pessimistic about watching the league stating, Security, Poor players welfare, Empty seats in Stadiums on match days, low publicity of the leagues and poor level of performance by the players amongst many other negatives.

Fortunately, some segments of Nigerian football fans have rendered their opinion and suggestions on the way forward which they hope will help the LMC

■ PRIVATISATION Of CLUBS

A larger percent of Npfl clubs are owned by their respective state governments, and this mean players are owed salaries, clubs flout some LMC rules and go unpunished. The best and biggest clubs in World football are not government owned, if not privately owned, they would rather be community owned or runned by fans.

Government clubs should be sold to interested private individuals or organisations. Club football is a big business hence it should be run as one and not as a governmental organisation.

Also there is a need to make fans feel attached to their respective clubs and this can be done by Community ownership of the club's.

Privatisation of the clubs will also ensure that issues of players protests due to unpaid salaries and bonuses will END.

It is not a must that government should hold on to the maintenance and ownership of clubs. If they still want to retain that, they should outsource to management companies. Companies with solid pedigree in management consultancy services. They are to do research on how this things are done , the acceptable standards, running of club affairs and report back to the government with good details. It will still be a win win situation. This gives room to quality and committment

■ RESTRUCTURING THE LEAGUE

Due to the large size of the country and risk of travelling by road to match centers, fans are discouraged to visit away grounds in the league unless when the away ground is in a neighbouring state or community.

Apart from that, there have been cases of accidents, highway robbery encountered by teams on their way to or from away grounds. Kano pillars, Ifeanyi Ubah and kwara united have all been recently involved in road mishaps in recent times.

An Abridged league as adopted by the Nigerian National League or The Major League Soccer in USA can be used from subsequent seasons in order to reduce lengths traveled by teams and increase the number fans who travel to away games.

■ ENLIGHTENMENT OF REFEREES

Refereeing is one part of the Nigerian league which leaves a lot to be desired. Frequent reports of favouring home teams, cancelling of legitimate goals and issuing of late penalties and red cards in order to favour a particular team gas turned fans away.

The league has been ridiculed as an "Home win only " league where away wins are rare. Many league matches have been abandoned in times past due to referee's questionable calls

If the LMC can work with the Nigerian Referees Association to psyche up match officials, many are of the belive that it will reflect in results on match days

Also renumeration payed to the match officials should improve as this will reduce cases of bribery. Referees should also be given maximum security before, during and after matches to reduce, influencing, threatening and violent acts against referees.

Some segment of fans also feel there is a need to have a minimum requirement before a referee can handle at game in the Npfl so as to increase the quality of officiating.

■ REBRANDING, REPACKAGING AND AWARENESS

Many pontential local league fans are lost to the allure and exposure to the foreign leagues. This is helped by the lackadaisical attitude of the LMC and clubs to properly use the available media for promotional of football activities like match previews and reviews, player transfers, change in match schedule, live commentaries of matches and pictures from the field of play.

The LMC on their part should focus on embarking on a vigorous awareness campaign for the league. Twitter hash tags and post are not enough, Television and Radio stations and Newspapers should be effectively utilised to preach and spread the gospel of the NPFL far and wide.

Also all NPFL clubs should be forced to run at least 3 social media pages and website. This will help fans get in touch and stay up to date with Match schedule and other activities.

Also clubs should make use of billboards, posters and other forms of advertisement to promote their image.

■ DEFAULTERS OF LMC RULES SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH IRRESPECTIVE OF THE OFFENDERS

Owing of players wages, violence by supporters, players and officials and abandonment of league matches should be dealt with instantaneously and harshly so as to serve a lesson to others.

■ INCREASED SECURITY AT MATCH VENUES

The number of security officials dispatched to match venues are sometimes not enough, this gives fans and home team officials a chance to constitute violence during games

Security is one way fans have found to excuse themselves from match centres, while there has been improvement recently, we expect more to still be done to totally eradicate violence at match centres.


■ STADIUMS AND PITCHES SHOULD BE WELL MAINTAINED

Many pitches in the NPFL leave a lot to be desired and while many of them are artificial surfaces a few of them are natural grass.

The natural grass pitches are not well maintained to suit the camera, the case of U.J Esuene Stadium during the match between Enyimba and Mfm last season is an example, where the pitch was in a bad state and yet was televised on TV.

Many pitches in the NPFL need to be upgraded and we hope the LMC can work to that effect and any team which fails to adhere should be punished accordingly.

We the fans itch for a time where all the playing surfaces of all the teams in the league will b natural grass and it will be a welcomed development if the LMC can consider it.

■ PUBLIC RE-ORIENTATION

The entire populace need to understand that there is career in sports. Sports is now big business and should be treated as such. The idea of non partisan followership of the League in nigeria needs to be set aside and looked into wholistically. Clubs need to be a thing of personal possession on the part of the fans.

■ SOCCER AT GRASSROOT

Gone are the days when schools had Principals cup, State cup and so on, many of this grassroot tourneys are not being held again. Even inter house sports where other high schools were invited seems to be a thing of the past. What happened to YSFON?
Lets bring back the days of youth involvement in our sports, the NUGA games, even if possible, introduce Varsity League.

■ ACCOUNTABILITY

This one is the most controversial part of all. Players play so they can earn. Whether they lost is not a reason to withold their Salaries. Salaries need to be paid on time without any form of coercion or mass action in the way of players goin on strike.. accountability with respect to gate takings and club policies need to be spelt out.


Cc: Icon4s, Somehow, Bascovanveli, Omanbala, Tbaba1234, Thesupernerd, Terzurum, Kog45 et all

Yeah, I remember this. Well done. Time to dust the book again.

In that case, Ahmed Musa might miss his chance if Ajayi performs. Unless Rohr receives an order from "above" to keep Musa to support federal character.


O pari

Icon4s:


Both.

He plays both as an SS and a CF. Though he is naturally a CF. He does well as a lone striker.

MFM 1-0 MC Alger 42mins.

I believe that they were eliminated by one goal difference. No?


O pari

maidaboi:
how many goals Rangers chop last year caf champions league?
They go collect if the play plateau united #fact

Icon79:
In that case, Ahmed Musa might miss his chance if Ajayi performs. Unless Rohr receives an order from "above" to keep Musa to support federal character.


O pari

No. Musa in addition to being an SS option brings more in the area of wings play.

I think Ajayi is more in contention with Ighalo, Iheanacho, Ideye and Nwakaeme.

Icon4s:
Goal for MFM!!

yes

Icon4s:
MFM 1-0 MC Alger 42mins.

Impressive but i hope they don't go to Algeria and chop 9 like Mc Alger last round opponents. 2 more goals will do with a clean sheet.

I v a good feeling about our teams' performance on the continent this season, we should v all 4 in the group stage of the CAF CL AND CAF CC.

Al Ittihad v Akwa united has been delayed

Icon4s:


No. Musa in addition to being an SS option brings more in the area of wings play.

I think Ajayi is more in contention with Ighalo, Iheanacho, Ideye and Nwakaeme.

tell them

Yes, but not likely. Kelechi may be having a rough patch right now but Rohr knows that he's the future. And in addition, the team needs Kelechi for the locker room. I am not sure if you've noticed that it's often Kelechi or Onazi who tends to lead the team in celebrations after victories or even during new players initiations. So I will be extremely surprised if Kelechi doesn't go to Russia.


O pari

maidaboi:
iheanacho can be displace too not only ighalo

Good point. But is Nwakaeme still in contention? I think he has knocked himself out after that woeful performance against Algeria.


O pari

Icon4s:


No. Musa in addition to being an SS option brings more in the area of wings play.

I think Ajayi is more in contention with Ighalo, Iheanacho, Ideye and Nwakaeme.

Ohhhh The People's Elephants!!!!

Nzogbu Nzogbu Enyimba!!! Enyi!!!!

somehow:
Enyimba also playing away to Energi fc of Benin and they are leading 2:0.

First half..great result!

MFM fc vs MC Algiers 0:0 first half.

Icon79:
I believe that they were eliminated by one goal difference. No?


O pari

Plateau united will qualify you heard it from me first

Yaahooooooooooo!!!!! Even the Olukoya Boys are balling!!!! Go get them Boys!!!

Icon4s:
MFM 1-0 MC Alger 42mins.

Anyone on this thread who thinks Iheanacho can be displaced from the Final 23 hasn't come to terms with the deep realities of this team yet.

Forget about who is pro-Nacho here or Anti-Nacho... but let the truth be told as it is.....

Kelechi Iheanacho cannot be displaced now ahead of Russia 2018. He is already one of the key players Rohr is banking on for a great outing in Russia. So if you wanna pick up names that can be displaced.... please go to the defence and be discussing Echiejile... or be discussing Ogu Vs Agu debate...

These six names... Iheanacho, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Simon Moses, Ighalo and Ahmed Musa will all be in Russia. You don't have to be clairvoyant to know this. And among them all, Iheanacho, Iwobi and Victor Moses are the super key players in that dept. The others are also good to go. Simple.

Danycrusoe:
I remember we all proposed possible solutions to NPFL's niggling issues some months back. I have a compilation of most if not all of the suggestions back then and I should v posted it here as asked by Sir Terzurum but I was waiting for a time when we all v our attentions on the Npfl and dx seems like the right time to do that. Please these suggestions are from all of us here and incase u v a new idea u can chip it in.

Possible Solutions To NPFL's Niggling Issues

Fans and enthusiastic lovers of the Nigeria Professional Football League are already looking forward to the new league season which starts in few days.

Last season saw improvements in the league and many expect a higher level of improvement this time around especially with the new TV deal with NTA.

However, some are still pessimistic about watching the league stating, Security, Poor players welfare, Empty seats in Stadiums on match days, low publicity of the leagues and poor level of performance by the players amongst many other negatives.

Fortunately, some segments of Nigerian football fans have rendered their opinion and suggestions on the way forward which they hope will help the LMC

■ PRIVATISATION Of CLUBS

A larger percent of Npfl clubs are owned by their respective state governments, and this mean players are owed salaries, clubs flout some LMC rules and go unpunished. The best and biggest clubs in World football are not government owned, if not privately owned, they would rather be community owned or runned by fans.

Government clubs should be sold to interested private individuals or organisations. Club football is a big business hence it should be run as one and not as a governmental organisation.

Also there is a need to make fans feel attached to their respective clubs and this can be done by Community ownership of the club's.

Privatisation of the clubs will also ensure that issues of players protests due to unpaid salaries and bonuses will END.

It is not a must that government should hold on to the maintenance and ownership of clubs. If they still want to retain that, they should outsource to management companies. Companies with solid pedigree in management consultancy services. They are to do research on how this things are done , the acceptable standards, running of club affairs and report back to the government with good details. It will still be a win win situation. This gives room to quality and committment

■ RESTRUCTURING THE LEAGUE

Due to the large size of the country and risk of travelling by road to match centers, fans are discouraged to visit away grounds in the league unless when the away ground is in a neighbouring state or community.

Apart from that, there have been cases of accidents, highway robbery encountered by teams on their way to or from away grounds. Kano pillars, Ifeanyi Ubah and kwara united have all been recently involved in road mishaps in recent times.

An Abridged league as adopted by the Nigerian National League or The Major League Soccer in USA can be used from subsequent seasons in order to reduce lengths traveled by teams and increase the number fans who travel to away games.

■ ENLIGHTENMENT OF REFEREES

Refereeing is one part of the Nigerian league which leaves a lot to be desired. Frequent reports of favouring home teams, cancelling of legitimate goals and issuing of late penalties and red cards in order to favour a particular team gas turned fans away.

The league has been ridiculed as an "Home win only " league where away wins are rare. Many league matches have been abandoned in times past due to referee's questionable calls

If the LMC can work with the Nigerian Referees Association to psyche up match officials, many are of the belive that it will reflect in results on match days

Also renumeration payed to the match officials should improve as this will reduce cases of bribery. Referees should also be given maximum security before, during and after matches to reduce, influencing, threatening and violent acts against referees.

Some segment of fans also feel there is a need to have a minimum requirement before a referee can handle at game in the Npfl so as to increase the quality of officiating.

■ REBRANDING, REPACKAGING AND AWARENESS

Many pontential local league fans are lost to the allure and exposure to the foreign leagues. This is helped by the lackadaisical attitude of the LMC and clubs to properly use the available media for promotional of football activities like match previews and reviews, player transfers, change in match schedule, live commentaries of matches and pictures from the field of play.

The LMC on their part should focus on embarking on a vigorous awareness campaign for the league. Twitter hash tags and post are not enough, Television and Radio stations and Newspapers should be effectively utilised to preach and spread the gospel of the NPFL far and wide.

Also all NPFL clubs should be forced to run at least 3 social media pages and website. This will help fans get in touch and stay up to date with Match schedule and other activities.

Also clubs should make use of billboards, posters and other forms of advertisement to promote their image.

■ DEFAULTERS OF LMC RULES SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH IRRESPECTIVE OF THE OFFENDERS

Owing of players wages, violence by supporters, players and officials and abandonment of league matches should be dealt with instantaneously and harshly so as to serve a lesson to others.

■ INCREASED SECURITY AT MATCH VENUES

The number of security officials dispatched to match venues are sometimes not enough, this gives fans and home team officials a chance to constitute violence during games

Security is one way fans have found to excuse themselves from match centres, while there has been improvement recently, we expect more to still be done to totally eradicate violence at match centres.


■ STADIUMS AND PITCHES SHOULD BE WELL MAINTAINED

Many pitches in the NPFL leave a lot to be desired and while many of them are artificial surfaces a few of them are natural grass.

The natural grass pitches are not well maintained to suit the camera, the case of U.J Esuene Stadium during the match between Enyimba and Mfm last season is an example, where the pitch was in a bad state and yet was televised on TV.

Many pitches in the NPFL need to be upgraded and we hope the LMC can work to that effect and any team which fails to adhere should be punished accordingly.

We the fans itch for a time where all the playing surfaces of all the teams in the league will b natural grass and it will be a welcomed development if the LMC can consider it.

■ PUBLIC RE-ORIENTATION

The entire populace need to understand that there is career in sports. Sports is now big business and should be treated as such. The idea of non partisan followership of the League in nigeria needs to be set aside and looked into wholistically. Clubs need to be a thing of personal possession on the part of the fans.

■ SOCCER AT GRASSROOT

Gone are the days when schools had Principals cup, State cup and so on, many of this grassroot tourneys are not being held again. Even inter house sports where other high schools were invited seems to be a thing of the past. What happened to YSFON?
Lets bring back the days of youth involvement in our sports, the NUGA games, even if possible, introduce Varsity League.

■ ACCOUNTABILITY

This one is the most controversial part of all. Players play so they can earn. Whether they lost is not a reason to withold their Salaries. Salaries need to be paid on time without any form of coercion or mass action in the way of players goin on strike.. accountability with respect to gate takings and club policies need to be spelt out.


Cc: Icon4s, Somehow, Bascovanveli, Omanbala, Tbaba1234, Thesupernerd, Terzurum5, Kog45, Soetanoreoluwa et all

Great job...

Icon4s:


Both.

He plays both as an SS and a CF. Though he is naturally a CF. He does well as a lone striker.

Ajayi has been playing from the wings at club level in the last few years.

Great.. Duly noted.

Danycrusoe:
I remember we all proposed possible solutions to NPFL's niggling issues some months back. I have a compilation of most if not all of the suggestions back then and I should v posted it here as asked by Sir Terzurum but I was waiting for a time when we all v our attentions on the Npfl and dx seems like the right time to do that. Please these suggestions are from all of us here and incase u v a new idea u can chip it in.

Possible Solutions To NPFL's Niggling Issues

Fans and enthusiastic lovers of the Nigeria Professional Football League are already looking forward to the new league season which starts in few days.

Last season saw improvements in the league and many expect a higher level of improvement this time around especially with the new TV deal with NTA.

However, some are still pessimistic about watching the league stating, Security, Poor players welfare, Empty seats in Stadiums on match days, low publicity of the leagues and poor level of performance by the players amongst many other negatives.

Fortunately, some segments of Nigerian football fans have rendered their opinion and suggestions on the way forward which they hope will help the LMC

■ PRIVATISATION Of CLUBS

A larger percent of Npfl clubs are owned by their respective state governments, and this mean players are owed salaries, clubs flout some LMC rules and go unpunished. The best and biggest clubs in World football are not government owned, if not privately owned, they would rather be community owned or runned by fans.

Government clubs should be sold to interested private individuals or organisations. Club football is a big business hence it should be run as one and not as a governmental organisation.

Also there is a need to make fans feel attached to their respective clubs and this can be done by Community ownership of the club's.

Privatisation of the clubs will also ensure that issues of players protests due to unpaid salaries and bonuses will END.

It is not a must that government should hold on to the maintenance and ownership of clubs. If they still want to retain that, they should outsource to management companies. Companies with solid pedigree in management consultancy services. They are to do research on how this things are done , the acceptable standards, running of club affairs and report back to the government with good details. It will still be a win win situation. This gives room to quality and committment

■ RESTRUCTURING THE LEAGUE

Due to the large size of the country and risk of travelling by road to match centers, fans are discouraged to visit away grounds in the league unless when the away ground is in a neighbouring state or community.

Apart from that, there have been cases of accidents, highway robbery encountered by teams on their way to or from away grounds. Kano pillars, Ifeanyi Ubah and kwara united have all been recently involved in road mishaps in recent times.

An Abridged league as adopted by the Nigerian National League or The Major League Soccer in USA can be used from subsequent seasons in order to reduce lengths traveled by teams and increase the number fans who travel to away games.

■ ENLIGHTENMENT OF REFEREES

Refereeing is one part of the Nigerian league which leaves a lot to be desired. Frequent reports of favouring home teams, cancelling of legitimate goals and issuing of late penalties and red cards in order to favour a particular team gas turned fans away.

The league has been ridiculed as an "Home win only " league where away wins are rare. Many league matches have been abandoned in times past due to referee's questionable calls

If the LMC can work with the Nigerian Referees Association to psyche up match officials, many are of the belive that it will reflect in results on match days

Also renumeration payed to the match officials should improve as this will reduce cases of bribery. Referees should also be given maximum security before, during and after matches to reduce, influencing, threatening and violent acts against referees.

Some segment of fans also feel there is a need to have a minimum requirement before a referee can handle at game in the Npfl so as to increase the quality of officiating.

■ REBRANDING, REPACKAGING AND AWARENESS

Many pontential local league fans are lost to the allure and exposure to the foreign leagues. This is helped by the lackadaisical attitude of the LMC and clubs to properly use the available media for promotional of football activities like match previews and reviews, player transfers, change in match schedule, live commentaries of matches and pictures from the field of play.

The LMC on their part should focus on embarking on a vigorous awareness campaign for the league. Twitter hash tags and post are not enough, Television and Radio stations and Newspapers should be effectively utilised to preach and spread the gospel of the NPFL far and wide.

Also all NPFL clubs should be forced to run at least 3 social media pages and website. This will help fans get in touch and stay up to date with Match schedule and other activities.

Also clubs should make use of billboards, posters and other forms of advertisement to promote their image.

■ DEFAULTERS OF LMC RULES SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH IRRESPECTIVE OF THE OFFENDERS

Owing of players wages, violence by supporters, players and officials and abandonment of league matches should be dealt with instantaneously and harshly so as to serve a lesson to others.

■ INCREASED SECURITY AT MATCH VENUES

The number of security officials dispatched to match venues are sometimes not enough, this gives fans and home team officials a chance to constitute violence during games

Security is one way fans have found to excuse themselves from match centres, while there has been improvement recently, we expect more to still be done to totally eradicate violence at match centres.


■ STADIUMS AND PITCHES SHOULD BE WELL MAINTAINED

Many pitches in the NPFL leave a lot to be desired and while many of them are artificial surfaces a few of them are natural grass.

The natural grass pitches are not well maintained to suit the camera, the case of U.J Esuene Stadium during the match between Enyimba and Mfm last season is an example, where the pitch was in a bad state and yet was televised on TV.

Many pitches in the NPFL need to be upgraded and we hope the LMC can work to that effect and any team which fails to adhere should be punished accordingly.

We the fans itch for a time where all the playing surfaces of all the teams in the league will b natural grass and it will be a welcomed development if the LMC can consider it.

■ PUBLIC RE-ORIENTATION

The entire populace need to understand that there is career in sports. Sports is now big business and should be treated as such. The idea of non partisan followership of the League in nigeria needs to be set aside and looked into wholistically. Clubs need to be a thing of personal possession on the part of the fans.

■ SOCCER AT GRASSROOT

Gone are the days when schools had Principals cup, State cup and so on, many of this grassroot tourneys are not being held again. Even inter house sports where other high schools were invited seems to be a thing of the past. What happened to YSFON?
Lets bring back the days of youth involvement in our sports, the NUGA games, even if possible, introduce Varsity League.

■ ACCOUNTABILITY

This one is the most controversial part of all. Players play so they can earn. Whether they lost is not a reason to withold their Salaries. Salaries need to be paid on time without any form of coercion or mass action in the way of players goin on strike.. accountability with respect to gate takings and club policies need to be spelt out.


Cc: Icon4s, Somehow, Bascovanveli, Omanbala, Tbaba1234, Thesupernerd, Terzurum5, Kog45, Soetanoreoluwa et all