By OLANREWAJU AKOJEDE

Some football stakeholders have expressed concerns and expectations as the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is scheduled to kick off on Aug. 22.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, they shared thoughts on improving the league and players? welfare.

A former Super Eagles winger and ex-Julius Berger player, Garba Lawal, praised the NPFL board for efforts to improve standards but noted there?s still room for growth.

?The NPFL board, led by Gbenga Elegbeleye, is doing well, and I?ve had constant engagement with them. My main concern is with clubs in continental football,? he said.

Lawal lamented that Nigerian clubs have struggled to reach the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup semi-finals or finals in recent years.

?I?ve shared my concerns with the NPFL board. It?s been long since any Nigerian club got that far in African competitions,? he said.

He urged greater improvement in the league to return to the era of club football dominance by NPFL teams.

Lawal, who played for Esperance after Berger FC, said that deeper runs in continental tournaments would enhance Nigerian football?s prestige.

?I don?t enjoy seeing our teams knocked out early. When I watch Supersport, I want to see NPFL clubs represented.

?We need better players in the NPFL. It?s achievable if clubs can start winning more away matches,? he said.

He cited the example of South Africa, where three clubs reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals and final last season.

?They?re not better than us technically, just better organised. We must raise our standards,? he stressed.

Lawal urged better organisation and improved welfare packages to boost continental performance.

Another former Super Eagles player, Edema Fuludu, advised the NPFL to maintain the new league calendar aligned with European schedules.

?This is the first time the NPFL has stabilised the calendar, finishing the league on time. It?s a good development,? he said.

Fuludu praised the early start to the new season, saying it reflects positively on Nigerian football?s organisation.

He played for New Nigeria Bank, BCC Lions, and Julius Berger before returning to BCC Lions.

He stressed the need for fair officiating to uphold the league?s integrity.

?NPFL must work on officiating and ensure State Football Associations are fully carried along in match preparations.

?Some State FAs are not properly briefed, and that?s problematic,? he added.

Fuludu said home teams must also brief match commissioners adequately to avoid confusion or misconduct.

?NPFL should secure more sponsors and prevent any contact between match officials and clubs before or after matches,? he advised.

Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force, also emphasised the importance of a stable league calendar.

?I rated the league 93 per cent last season. If the new date is upheld, the calendar will remain consistent,? he said.

He stressed that aligning with European leagues is crucial for player transfers and overall development.

?Before calendar alignment, players left mid-season for trials abroad, disrupting clubs. That has now stopped.

?They can now leave after the season ends, not during. It?s a huge improvement,? Jalla explained.

He commended the officiating standards last season, describing them as significantly improved.

?Officiating was much better. Though not perfect, the few bad referees were dealt with swiftly.

?It sent a clear message to others. Discipline has improved, and match venues are safer for families,? Jalla said.

He noted more away wins recorded last season, attributing it to improved discipline and transparency.

Jalla urged better welfare for referees and commissioners, including timely payments and fair remuneration.

?If officials are well paid, the likelihood of manipulation is reduced. They must be protected,? he added.

Jimmy Aimuagbonrie, coach of Fortress FC, acknowledged notable progress in the NPFL under current leadership.

?Our facilities are better, and NPFL now insists on stadiums meeting required standards,? he said.

He called for improved media coverage of the NPFL, both locally and internationally.

?More people need to watch the league. Media visibility must increase,? he urged.

Aimuagbonrie praised the NPFL for monitoring clubs and pushing for improved player welfare.

?I want to see insurance schemes for players and greater transparency in welfare matters,? he said.

He commended the Nigeria Referees Association and NFF for better officiating last season.

?By Week 19, we already had 11 away wins. That shows things are improving.

?We?ve never had it this good in terms of competitive balance and fairness,? he said.

Tony Nwadike, Executive Chairman of Premium Sport Hub, called for technology-driven officiating in the NPFL.

?We need to benchmark ourselves with top African leagues like South Africa?s,? he said.

While commending better pitches and stadium standards, Nwadike said Nigeria still lags in match technology.

?We should be talking about VAR now. We don?t even have goal-line tech yet,? he observed.

He noted South Africa?s advancement in VAR and suggested Nigeria should match that level of investment.

?South Africa shouldn?t have a richer league than NPFL. We must bridge the gap,? Nwadike said. (NAN)

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