Nigeria Premier Football League/Players Discussion Thread: 2026/27

[Rockson1]

Information reaching me that the collapsed player has died again in the hospital. This is bad. The young player has not achieved his dream or goal in life and life was short lived. A potential player in that matter. From the Sahara Reports group (National News Blog/Social media channel). He died after rushed back to the hospital. What a lost? May is Soul Rest in Peace.

This is an unfortunate news, this guy is very young and has a long way to go in life, who knows what he could have become in his career as a football player in the future, I'm not just happy with this development, I just feel for him and his family, this news is very devastating.
May God comfort his family and give them fortitude to bear the loss, this is so painful, may the Almighty God grant him eternal rest in his bossom Amen.

[Salahmu]

Information reaching me that the collapsed player has died again in the hospital. This is bad. The young player has not achieved his dream or goal in life and life was short lived. A potential player in that matter. From the Sahara Reports group (National News Blog/Social media channel). He died after rushed back to the hospital. What a lost? May is Soul Rest in Peace.

What a painful news considering how he fought so that he wouldn't die, when I heard that he was taken back to the hospital I thought he would survived it because it was already like a miracle that he has been giving a second chance, is unfortunate they couldn't revive him and to also no that all his aspiration in life and his career has ended. It was just this year he started playing for the Katsina United which is barely two months.

[Wiwo]

Information reaching me that the collapsed player has died again in the hospital. This is bad. The young player has not achieved his dream or goal in life and life was short lived. A potential player in that matter. From the Sahara Reports group (National News Blog/Social media channel). He died after rushed back to the hospital. What a lost? May is Soul Rest in Peace.

Meaning he was on hospital bed before, well this is sad and may his soul rest in peace, I saw that headlines this morning about Chibuzo dead and the katsina United team Los it sad most especially saying young talents dieing in active duties like this.

May be autopsy will confirm the exact cause of his death, if it as a result of not fully treated before retuning to the pitch.

[Agbe]

From what I am sensing in this coming season, teams will be more tougher than the previous season because some State governments who have invested a lot in those team and the teams didn't do well to their satisfaction were reshuffled and the managements were removed and new people were replaced so for not that to happen again every team will performance well mostly those teams the reshuffling happened.

[Comeacross]

Meaning he was on hospital bed before, well this is sad and may his soul rest in peace, I saw that headlines this morning about Chibuzo dead and the katsina United team Los it sad most especially saying young talents dieing in active duties like this.

May be autopsy will confirm the exact cause of his death, if it as a result of not fully treated before retuning to the pitch.

So many version of stories surrounding this young man death that one don't even know which one to believe. He slump at early minutes during their preseason match against Niger Tornadoes. He was rushed to hospital but the hospital confirmed his death upon arrival. This is confirmed in almost all media blogs but their another version of the story that says he wakes up at mortuary and was taken back to hospital where he was placed on live support and oxygen.

The Kastina United asked the public to disregard the second story that says he wakes up later. He is dead and arrangements are being put in place for the burial. It's unfortunate and painful but who are we to question the deed of almighty? I sympathise with his family and friends and most importantly, the Kastina United for losing a player they just signed. Rest on young blood.

[Obulis]

Most of the things you are saying isn't possible because it is a local league and putting more money may not be the solution in making the league to be popular.

Money plays an important role in the progress of any league. If Shooting Stars FC didn’t shoot content and paid blogs like BellaNaija to post PR videos of their new signings, I would not have known anything about the transfer dealings. I think more clubs in the NPFL need to adopt this strategy and make it most out of social media because let’s be honest, hype sells. And if we can promote our league very well, we can attract sponsors and big brands which will ultimately make the league better.

Money and management plays a serious part in all league indeed. This money will be spent on different areas like advertisment satoprincess mentioned, increasing managers and workers payment, increasing players payment and other important areas for money to be spent on. Even building a good stadiums that people can comfortably watch matches is part of this money requirements.

And then proty saying local league to describe NPFL doesn't really make sense because every league is a local league of their various nations just that some nations leagues has built itself to a global standard and are the frontiers of football games, it is only inter nation matches that are not local. EPL is a local league to English, Serie A local league to Italians, La Liga local league to Spanish, League 1 local league to french and so on. This is how NPFL is a local league to Nigerians. Now llook at how money and good management is playing a serious part in the leagues mentioned particularly.

Money and management can transform NPFL to the point that being an NPFL footballer means being on a good payroll which will make Nigerians and at least neighboring countries glad to become part. Giving secondary school leavers the privilege to start football carrier as much as possible with joy and obvious clear prosperous future as a footballer. That will make top players celebrities and household names.

[Agbe]

Money and management can transform NPFL to the point that being an NPFL footballer means being on a good payroll which will make Nigerians and at least neighboring countries glad to become part. Giving secondary school leavers the privilege to start football carrier as much as possible with joy and obvious clear prosperous future as a footballer. That will make top players celebrities and household names.

This money you are talking about can come easily if the management/commission /federation is willing to do the right thing. The problem is the individuals who are heading the football federation in the country and all their interest is to siphon the money to their personal pockets and accounts and not willing to do the real work. Do you know the amount FG approved from Work Bank to give my State Government, the money was enough to complete the ongoing building of the world standard Stadium in my state. And news came to me last month that he has stopped the work because there is no money again, now the question everyone is asking is "how"?

In most cases the money is available but it is mismanaged by the top ogas because everyone want a share of the money.

[ArabBTC]

No doubt corruption remains the major setback in Nigeria and Africa at large, i haven’t seen a race so greedy even to themselves, if the Nigerian football league is revived it will generate money for not just the government but the staffs and players but few peoples greed have kept things the way they are, sometimes are wonder what kind of heart that the government and governing football board in Nigeria have because same people watch other leagues and see how money is used judiciously to build world class stadiums, advertise and buy world class players, they even go as far as flying to those countries to watch this teams play so why can’t same people replicate same thing in their own country Nigeria, sincerely it will take a long time before African leagues will gain attention, the corruption in the continent is alarming.

[Marykeller]

From what I am sensing in this coming season, teams will be more tougher than the previous season because some State governments who have invested a lot in those team and the teams didn't do well to their satisfaction were reshuffled and the managements were removed and new people were replaced so for not that to happen again every team will performance well mostly those teams the reshuffling happened.

Can you tell us the teams whose state government reshuffled and whose management was removed, so the new ones will take over? Telling us, would make us to keep an eye on them at least, to see what their performance will be like this new season, whether it's better off.

On a different note, we have four new teams that were promoted to the NPFL for the 2026/2027 season.

Those teams are Doma United, Sporting Lagos, Ranchers Bees, and Inter Lagos FC. Let's keep an eye on these four new teams to see what they can do, whether they remain or get kicked out

[Agbe]

Can you tell us the teams whose state government reshuffled and whose management was removed, so the new ones will take over? Telling us, would make us to keep an eye on them at least, to see what their performance will be like this new season, whether it's better off.

  You can say me  and not "us". Because those who have been following the discussion knows what I am saying. I know that you missed the place I mentioned the Teams that were restructured. I would have given you the States with the teams but you can read backward and see it. Yes definitely they will do well this time because they will not what happened to others to repeat itself.

[Y3shot]

From what I am sensing in this coming season, teams will be more tougher than the previous season because some State governments who have invested a lot in those team and the teams didn't do well to their satisfaction were reshuffled and the managements were removed and new people were replaced so for not that to happen again every team will performance well mostly those teams the reshuffling happened.

Let's not just conclude because this is not a guarantee. One thing about reshuffling in our league is that they don't even go after the best players or management; they just bring in new players with the belief that they will try for better performance. Had it been the reshuffling is being based on good quality, then it would be possible to expect a good transformation from these teams. But as it stands right now, it is possible for the new team to end up performing just like the previous team and management.

[Out of mind]

Information reaching me that the collapsed player has died again in the hospital. This is bad. The young player has not achieved his dream or goal in life and life was short lived. A potential player in that matter. From the Sahara Reports group (National News Blog/Social media channel). He died after rushed back to the hospital. What a lost? May is Soul Rest in Peace.

Meaning he was on hospital bed before, well this is sad and may his soul rest in peace, I saw that headlines this morning about Chibuzo dead and the katsina United team Los it sad most especially saying young talents dieing in active duties like this.

May be autopsy will confirm the exact cause of his death, if it as a result of not fully treated before retuning to the pitch.

Chibujo's death is not just the death of a young footballer, but also has a huge impact on the health and safety of players. Although accurate information has not yet come to light on this matter, mainly whether this young player returned to the field after recovering from the hospital while ill. No autopsy has come to light where you have a medical clearance to enter the field after fully recovering from the hospital. This issue needs to be looked at seriously. I just assume that it is not possible to find the reason for such a sudden death of a player but it needs to be investigated thoroughly, and later it needs to be looked at whether it was due to his physical illness. The most sad thing here is that he was a young player who played quite well for Katsina United and had a full career ahead of him. And looking at the death of this young player, of course, if any player falls ill in the future, it is most important to ensure that he returns to the field after fully recovering.

[Marvelockg]

From what I am sensing in this coming season, teams will be more tougher than the previous season because some State governments who have invested a lot in those team and the teams didn't do well to their satisfaction were reshuffled and the managements were removed and new people were replaced so for not that to happen again every team will performance well mostly those teams the reshuffling happened.

Let's not just conclude because this is not a guarantee. One thing about reshuffling in our league is that they don't even go after the best players or management; they just bring in new players with the belief that they will try for better performance. Had it been the reshuffling is being based on good quality, then it would be possible to expect a good transformation from these teams. But as it stands right now, it is possible for the new team to end up performing just like the previous team and management.

This is kor true. No team just goes after a player for trial and error sake. The competition for a playing spot in most team is on a high rise and the last thing they need is to sign a player that won't be useful to them in the season. At least I've seen the playing capacity of a team like rives united and Kwara united and from the numbers of good players they already have, before adding any players to their squad, such player will have to be extremely good.

Rivers united just sign the former bayelsa united goal keeper and from last season performance, the guy was an exceptional talent which neccesitated the signing. Nigerian league is not one of those leagues that signs players based on future potential. You have to be an happening player before you can get signed.

[Crytohillss]

Information reaching me that the collapsed player has died again in the hospital. This is bad. The young player has not achieved his dream or goal in life and life was short lived. A potential player in that matter. From the Sahara Reports group (National News Blog/Social media channel). He died after rushed back to the hospital. What a lost? May is Soul Rest in Peace.

Meaning he was on hospital bed before, well this is sad and may his soul rest in peace, I saw that headlines this morning about Chibuzo dead and the katsina United team Los it sad most especially saying young talents dieing in active duties like this.

May be autopsy will confirm the exact cause of his death, if it as a result of not fully treated before retuning to the pitch.

Chibujo's death is not just the death of a young footballer, but also has a huge impact on the health and safety of players. Although accurate information has not yet come to light on this matter, mainly whether this young player returned to the field after recovering from the hospital while ill. No autopsy has come to light where you have a medical clearance to enter the field after fully recovering from the hospital. This issue needs to be looked at seriously. I just assume that it is not possible to find the reason for such a sudden death of a player but it needs to be investigated thoroughly, and later it needs to be looked at whether it was due to his physical illness. The most sad thing here is that he was a young player who played quite well for Katsina United and had a full career ahead of him. And looking at the death of this young player, of course, if any player falls ill in the future, it is most important to ensure that he returns to the field after fully recovering.

My condolences goes to the family of Chibujo, death is inevitable although i do not got the accurate information of what happen to him, but if the players hasn't getting any illness before i think it might not be is truly feet in any of match that's it happens this way, sometimes the manager's are supposed to test run all his players to know who is really feet or not. I think this issues need a clearical explanation or there must  be an investigation of this whole issue a player can not just collapse on the pitch without a tackle of any players.

[Marykeller]

Can you tell us the teams whose state government reshuffled and whose management was removed, so the new ones will take over? Telling us, would make us to keep an eye on them at least, to see what their performance will be like this new season, whether it's better off.

  You can say me  and not "us". Because those who have been following the discussion knows what I am saying. I know that you missed the place I mentioned the Teams that were restructured. I would have given you the States with the teams but you can read backward and see it. Yes definitely they will do well this time because they will not what happened to others to repeat itself.

My bad. Thank you for drawing my attention back to know about the teams; their state governor reshuffled the team and sacked their management team.

I think it's a nice move that the governor of Bayelsa made to reshuffle the Bayelsa United football crew, since the team ended up relegated from the NPFL after money was pumped into the team to perform better, at least.

Let me believe and hope that Bayelsa United(relegated) and Kano Pillars' performance will improve from what it was. It's not encouraging that state governors will be sponsoring the state team; those in charge won't do the needful to sign quality players

[knowngunman]

Let me believe and hope that Bayelsa United(relegated) and Kano Pillars' performance will improve from what it was. It's not encouraging that state governors will be sponsoring the state team; those in charge won't do the needful to sign quality players

We normally talk about how bad the system is at the national level but neglecting what is happening at the state level. The team management crew at the state level is even more corrupt than what we are seeing in the national team. They believe that many people don't pay attention to what's happening in our local league and only few fans even follow up with what's happening in their state team so they do whatever they like. I remember the last time one coach was appointed to manage the state team and the first thing he did was bringing the players he was working with at his previous team. Of course, there's no problem bringing one or two players from your previous team if they meet the criteria to participate in the highest team in the state but it's totally wrong to bring almost half of the team players from your previous team just because of your familiarity with them despite knowing that they won't give you the best result.

[Agbe]

Let me believe and hope that Bayelsa United(relegated) and Kano Pillars' performance will improve from what it was. It's not encouraging that state governors will be sponsoring the state team; those in charge won't do the needful to sign quality players

We normally talk about how bad the system is at the national level but neglecting what is happening at the state level. The team management crew at the state level is even more corrupt than what we are seeing in the national team.

You know what those guys are just there to steal and nothing more. As for me everything still boiled down to the bad government. If there was a regular employment system and good salary structure. Everyone will do the right thing but there is no employment in anywhere and the salary for those who are working is very poor so those management crew see this am opportunity to siphon money to their personal pockets so that in case anything happens, and they are removed, because they know they'll not be there forever, they'll use the embezzled money.

Those teams that individuals and churches sponsoring are doing well in management though their performance is not as standard as the government own teams.

[Decimetre]

Let me believe and hope that Bayelsa United(relegated) and Kano Pillars' performance will improve from what it was. It's not encouraging that state governors will be sponsoring the state team; those in charge won't do the needful to sign quality players

We normally talk about how bad the system is at the national level but neglecting what is happening at the state level. The team management crew at the state level is even more corrupt than what we are seeing in the national team.

You know what those guys are just there to steal and nothing more. As for me everything still boiled down to the bad government. If there was a regular employment system and good salary structure. Everyone will do the right thing but there is no employment in anywhere and the salary for those who are working is very poor so those management crew see this am opportunity to siphon money to their personal pockets so that in case anything happens, and they are removed, because they know they'll not be there forever, they'll use the embezzled money.

Those teams that individuals and churches sponsoring are doing well in management though their performance is not as standard as the government own teams.

It is still the same problem with the national team that is affecting the state owned team. Everything in the country is politicised and no matter how good you are, you have to know someone to be able to make it to the team. Sponsoring these clubs at the state level use to be very difficult especially when the governor is not a football lover. Some states have closed down their clubs before and later reopen the clubs for many reasons best known to them. So of these governments don't have close supervision in the sports level which is why even after allocating funds for the team, there won't be any results and the management team will siphon the money. Private owned teams are improving better because it's well supervised unlike the state owned teams, so it's just a Nigerian factor.

[Ronsbit]

A few days ago, Egyptian Premier league side club Modern Sports FC signed up a Nigerian local player Ismail Ayodele from Shooting Stars SC for an undisclosed amount this August. Lately the Egyptian club side has shown interest in Nigerian local players and they've been signing up players for their various clubs. This shows how talented Nigerians are and are a centre of attraction to many countries out there who are willing to pay to get them in their team to play for them.

https://share.google/iAQlyZYoy6WiZonss

[Crakryptvest]

We normally talk about how bad the system is at the national level but neglecting what is happening at the state level. The team management crew at the state level is even more corrupt than what we are seeing in the national team.

No doubt on this point you raised, I just think that much has not been done in Nigeria football entirely, we have those appointed in those positions based on their alignment with politicians, when I look at everything about our league football and our national team, I feel that something is actually wrong.

Everything has become money this and that and at the end nothing is been achieved, we are too backward in football, the Nigeria premier League still looks some how to me, the corruption ravaging the entire nigeria football calls for urgent concern, but the question is that, who'll make it right.