Recruitment of players and development of club infrastructure is a key component of the N100 million prize money won by Enyimba as champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2022/23 season.

NPFL Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, laid the charge to Enyimba Chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, during a meeting with the clubs’ chairmen in Lagos on Monday.

Elegbeleye explained that the prize money, which would be credited to the club’s bank account within the week, has been tied to strengthening the club to compete favourably on the continent and meet infrastructural conditions set by Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) for hosting the CAF Champions League.

“Let me again congratulate Enyimba International for emerging the champions, but it has to be stated that in line with the developmental trajectories of the IMC and our investment partners, GTI, there is a portion of the money tied to certain projects.

“Of the N100 million, the club must spend a minimum of N25m on quality players recruitment to strengthen their squad and be able to represent the country well in the CAF Champions League next season.

“We have seen how deep the squads of clubs from the North African countries are; they recruit some of the best in their country and outside hence their strong showing on the continent. It is the reason we have ensured that a reasonable amount is provided as prize money,” the IMC chairman explained.

He noted that the league body is intent on getting clubs upgrade their facilities to, in the long run, meet requirements for hosting the CAF Champions League.

“Another N25 million of the prize money must be spent by the club on upgrading facilities in the stadium identified to fall short of acceptable standards, while the remaining N50m is at the disposal of the club to spend as it considers appropriate.

“It is not that the IMC will have anything to do with the actual spending nor determine for the club, who executes the project; but simply stating the guidelines on the allocation of portions of the prize money,” Elegbeleye added. He said there would be expansion of the bracket of financial rewards as more sponsors are attracted to raise the financial base of the NPFL.

“Obviously, there is a need to have an inclusive financial reward system to also have clubs benefit based on their positions on the log at the end of the season to also support them in players recruitment and facility upgrade,” he said.

Enyimba edged Remo Stars and Rivers United to the league title on goals difference after all three were tied on nine points at the completion of games of the NPFL Championship Play-off in Lagos on Sunday. It was the ninth title win for the twice African Champions. (The Guardian)

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