Nigerian Professional Football League
 | |
| Founded | 1972 (1972) |
|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Nigeria National League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Nigerian FA Cup Nigerian Super Cup Super 4 (Nigeria) |
| International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
| Current champions | Plateau United (2017) (1st title) [1] |
| Most championships | Enyimba F.C. and Enugu Rangers (7) |
| TV partners | SuperSport |
| Website | npfl.ng |
 2018–19 Nigeria Professional Football League | |
The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) is the highest level of the Nigerian football league system, for the Nigerian Club-football Championships.
But the Nigerian top-division had experienced many dwindling fortunes, since the late 2000s.
[2][3] It is fed into by the Nigeria National League (NNL). It is organized by the League Management Company (LMC).
Contents
1 Name
2 The League Management Company
3 International Partnerships
4 History
4.1 2017 season
4.2 2018 season
5 Best Global Reputation
6 List of past champions
6.1 Champions by season
6.2 Most titles won
7 Topscorers
8 References
9 External links
Name
It was formerly known as the Nigerian Premier League for the second time, as of the 2012/2013 Season from the 2003/2004 Season; "Nigerian Premiership" (2000–2003); "Nigerian Premier League", first time (1993–2000); "Nigerian Professional League" (1990–1993); Nigerian National League - First Division (1979–1990) and "the (Nigerian) National League" or "Nigerian Football League" (1972–1979),
[4]
The League Management Company
This is the legal League board or body that was incorporated in November, 2012, by the Nigeria Football Federation to take over the nearly-collapsed NPL.
The first step the LMC took was to rebrand the League name,from the Nigerian Premier League to the Nigerian Professional Football League, (NPFL) or simply the Professional 'Football' League) (P'F'L) i.e. just "Professional League" or "Football League" inside Nigeria.[5][6]
In 2015, the League Management Company solicited financial support from the Government in order to "upgrade of existing grounds and provision of required broadcast equipment and facilities in the stadiums”.[7]
International Partnerships
On 27, April 2016, The Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) organizers of the La Liga sealed a five-year memorandum of understanding deal with the NPFL on capacity building and idea exchange signed by the League Management Company chairman, Shehu Dikko and the La Liga President Javier Tebas. The NPFL and La Liga partnership has already started bearing fruit as during the January transfer window, Super Eagles fringe player Ezekiel Bassey was signed on loan from Enyimba to Barcelona B on a six-month deal with an option of 3-years come end of the season based on performance. The NPFL AllStars (made up of the league's best players) have also been playing Pre-Season as well as Winter break friendlies with top flight Spanish sides like Atletico Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Villareal etc. In an effort to expose and test Local players against top players and sides.
In Thursday, May 25, 2017, The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)
alongside the League Management Company (LMC), also consummated a multi-faceted strategic agreement in
general football development with the Football Federation and Premier League body of the Kingdom of Morocco, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and NFF 2nd Vice President/
LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding with their Moroccan counterparts, the result of detailed discussions, deliberations and considerations over time. The two FA Presidents signed their own sides in the
Office of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football in Rabat, while the LMC 's Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Chairman of the Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel, (which organises the Botola, Said Naciri signed at the LNFP office, watched by the two FA bosses.[8]
History
2017 season
Plateau United F.C. won the league on the 9th of September, 2017, with a 2–0 victory over Enugu Rangers.[1]
2018 season
In July 2018 the league was postponed indefinitely following crisis in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).[9][10]
Best Global Reputation
In 2012, the NPL was ranked as the best in Africa and 24th best in the world by the IFFHS, the rating puts it a spot above the Scottish Premier League for the year.[11][12]
List of past champions
Champions by season
- 1971: Rangers International (Enugu) (Amachree Gold Cup)
- 1972: Mighty Jets (Jos)
- 1973: Bendel Insurance (Benin City)
- 1974: Rangers International (Enugu)
- 1975: Rangers International (Enugu)
- 1976: IICC Shooting Stars (Ibadan)
- 1977: Rangers International (Enugu)
- 1978: Racca Rovers (Kano)
- 1979: Bendel Insurance (Benin City)
- 1980: IICC Shooting Stars (Ibadan)
- 1981: Rangers International (Enugu)
- 1982: Rangers International (Enugu)
- 1983: IICC Shooting Stars (Ibadan)
- 1984: Rangers International (Enugu)
- 1985: New Nigeria Bank (Benin City)
- 1986: Leventis United (Ibadan)
- 1987: Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
- 1988: Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
- 1989: Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
- 1990: Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
- 1991: Julius Berger (Lagos)
- 1992: Stationery Stores (Lagos)
- 1993: Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
- 1994: BCC Lions (Gboko)
- 1995: 3SC Shooting Stars (Ibadan)
- 1996: Udoji United (Awka)
- 1997: Eagle Cement (Port Harcourt)
- 1998: 3SC Shooting Stars (Ibadan)
- 1999: Lobi Stars (Makurdi)
- 2000: Julius Berger (Lagos)
- 2001: Enyimba (Aba)
- 2002: Enyimba (Aba)
- 2003: Enyimba (Aba)
- 2004: Dolphin (Port Harcourt)
- 2005: Enyimba (Aba)
- 2006: Ocean Boys (Brass)
- 2007: Enyimba (Aba)
- 2008: Kano Pillars (Kano)
- 2009: Bayelsa United (Yenegoa)
2010: Enyimba (Aba)
2011: Dolphin (Port Harcourt)
2012: Kano Pillars (Kano)
2013: Kano Pillars (Kano)
2014: Kano Pillars (Kano)
2015: Enyimba (Aba)
2016: Rangers International (Enugu)
2017: Plateau United (Jos)
2018: suspended after 24 rounds
Most titles won
| Clubs | Championship | Years |
|---|---|---|
Enyimba (Aba) | 7 | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015 |
Rangers International (Enugu) | 7 | 1971, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016 |
Shooting Stars (Ibadan) | 5 | 1976, 1980, 1983, 1995, 1998 |
Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri) | 5 | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993 |
Kano Pillars (Kano) | 4 | 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Dolphin (Port Harcourt) (Includes Eagle Cement) | 3 | 1997, 2004, 2011 |
Bendel Insurance (Benin City) | 2 | 1973, 1979 |
Julius Berger (Lagos) | 2 | 1991, 2000 |
Lobi Stars (Makurdi) | 2 | 1999, 2018 |
BCC Lions (Gboko) | 1 | 1994 |
Stationery Stores (Lagos) | 1 | 1992 |
Leventis United (Ibadan) | 1 | 1986 |
Plateau United (Jos) | 1 | 2017 |
Bayelsa United (Yenegoa) | 1 | 2009 |
Ocean Boys (Brass) | 1 | 2006 |
Udoji United (Awka) | 1 | 1996 |
New Nigeria Bank (Benin City) | 1 | 1985 |
Racca Rovers (Kano) | 1 | 1978 |
Mighty Jets (Jos) | 1 | 1972 |
Topscorers
Year | Best/Top scorers | Team | Goals |
1990 [13] |  Ishaya Jatau | Iwuanyanwu Nationale | 17 |
1991 | Richard Ojomo | Bendel United | 12 |
1992 | Arthur Moses | Super Stores | 10 |
1993 | Tony Nwigwe | Iwuanyanwu Nationale | 13 |
1994 | Olumide Harris | Shooting Stars | 14 |
1995 | Ben Agawam | Gombe United F.C. | 12 |
1996 | Peter Anyiolobi | Enyimba | 9 |
1997 |  Paul Kpoughoul | Jasper United/BCC Lions | 16 |
1998 | Hassan Minna | Gombe United | 14 |
1999 | Emmanuel Ago | Iwuanyanwu Nationale | 14 |
2000 | Peter Ijeh | Julius Berger | 14 |
2001 | Uche Okereke | Enugu Rangers | 13 |
2002 |  Joetex Frimpong | El-Kanemi Warriors | 16 |
2003 | Chibuzor Ozurumba Endurance Idahor | Iwuanyanwu Nationale Julius Berger | 13 |
2004 | Kabiru Alausa | Julius Berger | 13 |
2005 | Timothy AnjembeJoseph Akpala | Lobi Stars Bendel Insurance | 12 |
2006 | Ikechukwu Ibenegbu | El-Kanemi Warriors | 10 |
2007 | Aruwa Ameh | Kaduna United | 10 |
2008 | Abubakar Babale | Wikki Tourists/Sunshine Stars | 14 |
2009 | Orok Akarandut | Akwa United | 17 |
2010 | Ahmed Musa | Kano Pillars | 18 |
2011 | Jude Aneke | Kaduna United | 20 |
2012 [14] | Sibi Gwar | Niger Tornadoes | 17 |
2013 [14] | Victor Namo | Nasarawa United | 18 |
2014 [14] | Mfon Udoh | Enyimba | 23 |
2015 [15] | Gbolahan Salami | Warri Wolves | 17 |
2016 [14] | Godwin Obaje | Wikki Tourists | 18 |
2017 | Anthony Okpotu | Lobi Stars | 19 |
2018[16] | Junior Lokosa | Kano Pillars | 19 |
References
^ ab "Plateau United wins Nigerian Professional Football League". Vanguardngr.com..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Walker, Andrew (2008-07-28). "Africa | Is Premier League killing Nigerian football?". BBC News. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
^ Category: Weekend. "Guardian News Website – Dwindling fortunes of Nigeria's premier league". Ngrguardiannews.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
^ "Nigeria Champions". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2017-05-28.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2017-05-28.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ [1][dead link]
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2017-05-28.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ "Nigerian league postponed indefinitely". Bbc.co.uk. 17 July 2018.
^ "LMC announces indefinite postponement of NPFL resumption". Nigeria Professional Football League. 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
^ "Kenyan League ranked Worst in Africa". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
^ "KPL becomes last in IFFHS World rankings". Retrieved 20 March 2014.
^ "The Nigerian league's top scorers' jinx – SuperSport – Football". SuperSport. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
^ abcd "ODEY'S TARGET: Top Scorers In Last Five NPFL Seasons". Complete Sports.
^ "Gbolahan Salami finishes as NPFL's top scorer". DailyPost Nigeria. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
^ "Lokosa Gets Eunisell's N3.8m, Trophy as NPFL Top Scorer". ThisDay. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
External links
- RSSSF competition history
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