Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has ignited a crucial conversation about the future of Nigerian football, and it all stems from the dazzling spectacle of the FIFA Club World Cup.
As African clubs battled for global supremacy and substantial prize money, Ahmed Musa couldn’t help but draw a sharp, sobering comparison to our own domestic league, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Footballrover reports.
Ahmed Musa calls for immediate NPFL overhaul
The question on his mind, and now on the minds of many fans, is stark: can the NPFL truly compete on the world stage?
This reflection isn’t just about winning trophies; it’s about unlocking the immense potential and financial benefits that elite club football offers.
The disparity observed at the Club World Cup has prompted the former Leicester City star to advocate strongly for a sweeping overhaul of the Nigerian top flight.
He points out that while Nigeria boasts an abundance of football talent from the grassroots to the top tier, talent alone isn’t enough in the modern game.
Musa believes we are missing crucial pieces: effective league organisation, robust club structures, and adequate funding.
He emphasises the urgent need for new policies and a driven reform agenda to bridge this gap.
Imagine Nigerian clubs, not just African ones, challenging for those lucrative prize pools!
It’s a vision that requires collective will and decisive action from all stakeholders.
NPFL: Charting a course for global competitiveness
Beyond structural and financial concerns, Ahmed Musa also cast a spotlight on the state of officiating, a critical area for any league aspiring to meet global standards.
While other African nations consistently produce referees for major CAF and FIFA tournaments, Nigeria’s representation has dwindled, raising concerns about the quality and development within our officiating system.
This vital aspect must be addressed as part of the broader NPFL overhaul.
“I have been following the FIFA Club World Cup, and my focus has been on the African clubs in the tournament. Apart from the excitement, the tournament is a money-spinner for the African clubs.
It’s a sober reflection if we compare the African clubs at the Club World Cup to our domestic league, the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Can we compete at this level? What are we not getting right? We need to review the organisation of the League, clubs’ structure, and funding. We need to set out new policies and drive the reforms.
The NPFL is not lacking in potential; our football has got abundance of talent and potential from the grassroots to the elite level, but these factors aren’t enough in a modern football system.
We must collectively decide to make our football work, which will ensure that our clubs compete at the continental and world level.
What about the referees and officiating? Other African countries are producing referees for CAF and FIFA tournaments, but what do we have here?
We must work hard to ensure our football meets the global standard and organisation.
Wishing all the African countries at the FIFA Club World Cup success.”
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