Christian Chukwu Scores NPFL Low As League Celebrates 30 Years Of Existence

Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu is not too excited about how the Nigerian league has fared and can’t be said to be a success after 30 years.

Without any fanfare, owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the Nigeria Professional Football league[NPFL] kicked off in the country on May 12th, 1990.

The pioneer clubs of the league were the now-defunct Lagos ACB, BCC Lions, Bendel Insurance, Bendel United (now defunct), and Enyimba FC.
Others were Highlanders of Jos, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, (now Heartland FC) JIB, Kano Pillars, Obanta United (later VIP), Ranchers, Enugu Rangers, and Stationery Stores.

Speaking to brila.net, the former coach who has played, coached, and also managed clubs in the league said there was remarkable progress in the league now when compared to 30 years ago.

“At least, there are Stadiums everywhere now, right? That’s some improvement.
“We have also improved in terms of players’ welfare but things can be better, the former coach added.
“But until we start leaving the government out of clubs management, we still have a long way to go,’
“We need the government to take off their hands off club management totally, we need to get sponsors to do these things, sports is business,’
Enyimba has been the most successful, winning the professional league eight times.

The crowd-pulling Kano Pillars comes second having won the league four times.