The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to improving the quality and visibility of the league. This comes as four NPFL players were named in Coach Eric Chelle’s 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Speaking in Abuja, NPFL chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, hailed the inclusion of the players as a positive development for the league. He emphasised the need to continue creating opportunities for NPFL talents to shine on the national and international stage.
“The inclusion of Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), and Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes) in the provisional squad is a testament to their hard work and dedication. It also highlights the quality of players in our league. Consistency from these players will open more doors for others,” Elegbeleye stated.
He further stressed the importance of increased television coverage, live streaming, and growing followership to ensure NPFL players gain the visibility they deserve. “The more opportunities we create through these platforms, the more our players will be seen by national team selectors,” he added.
When asked about the possibility of setting up a dedicated technical team to monitor NPFL players for national team selection, Elegbeleye expressed confidence in the work being done by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical department, led by Austin Eguavoen.
“Eguavoen has done a marvelous job, traveling from one venue to another to scout talents. We’ve also seen the newly appointed Super Eagles coach following suit. This shows that our NPFL players are getting the recognition they deserve. While we want more NPFL players in the national team, we are committed to creating avenues for them to be seen and appreciated,” he explained.
The inclusion of NPFL players in the provisional squad is a clear indication of the league’s growing influence and the potential it holds. With continued efforts to improve visibility and quality, the NPFL is poised to become a powerhouse for nurturing future national team stars.
