Nigeria Premier League/Players Discussion Thread

[CryptSafe]

We are not talking about how much the NPFL has improved. It’s no longer the situation where the home team always win, now the away team get goals and even wins comfortably without controversial caps from the referees. The other thing we need to work on is how transfers are being conducted. Sometimes before the start of the season, a club side would let go of every player in their ranks and bring in totally new players. This is something we don’t see in other developed leagues around the world but it happens in the NPFL. The NPFL should look at establishing long term contracts for players to ensure players welfare.

Your points are very much important there here. In the English premier league, and other advanced leagues, the welfare of their players are properly taken care of because they know the use  and worth of their players so they do not jeopardise with their welfare and it is clearly captured in their agreement as the case may be that is why you see them having contact that spans for years and on a steady renewal  making sure the players are satisfied with their engagements.

This I think the NPFL should emulate to making sure players are well taken care of because this is what I believe to be amongst the issues facing our football entertainment industry. The players are not properly taken care of and worst of it all is that once a player sustains injury here, that is the end for the player as the club would abandon them but in the English premier league it's not that way, the team makes sure to see to the end of treatment and necessary steps required to be properly utilised for the benefit of the player.

[SatoPrincess]

We are not talking about how much the NPFL has improved. It’s no longer the situation where the home team always win, now the away team get goals and even wins comfortably without controversial caps from the referees. The other thing we need to work on is how transfers are being conducted. Sometimes before the start of the season, a club side would let go of every player in their ranks and bring in totally new players. This is something we don’t see in other developed leagues around the world but it happens in the NPFL. The NPFL should look at establishing long term contracts for players to ensure players welfare.

Your points are very much important there here. In the English premier league, and other advanced leagues, the welfare of their players are properly taken care of because they know the use  and worth of their players so they do not jeopardise with their welfare and it is clearly captured in their agreement as the case may be that is why you see them having contact that spans for years and on a steady renewal  making sure the players are satisfied with their engagements.

This I think the NPFL should emulate to making sure players are well taken care of because this is what I believe to be amongst the issues facing our football entertainment industry. The players are not properly taken care of and worst of it all is that once a player sustains injury here, that is the end for the player as the club would abandon them but in the English premier league it's not that way, the team makes sure to see to the end of treatment and necessary steps required to be properly utilised for the benefit of the player.

The NPFL is complacent when it comes to the welfare of the players, the playersdon’t get paid well and their contacts are not drafted out properly. The worst part is that the players cannot complain publicly because they are still signed to the club. If a multi time ballon d’Or winner, Christiano Ronaldo could be turned a villain after going on an interview to talk about the deteriorating state of his club and was let go for “disrespecting” the club. What are the chances of local players who do not have a voice.

[CryptSafe]

The NPFL is complacent when it comes to the welfare of the players, the playersdon’t get paid well and their contacts are not drafted out properly. The worst part is that the players cannot complain publicly because they are still signed to the club. If a multi time ballon d’Or winner, Christiano Ronaldo could be turned a villain after going on an interview to talk about the deteriorating state of his club and was let go for “disrespecting” the club. What are the chances of local players who do not have a voice.

That is the problem of speaking out. The day a player speaks out to expose the dirty linings of their paymaster, that day is the end of the road for that player. Other clubs would likely see the player as a saboteur and if the player is not a sort after player, that is the end of their career because no club would come for you and as a matter of fact the club would help tarnish the name and reputation of the player with ease. This is amongst the reasons why players keep mute. Well, sometimes the MOU they signed prohibit them from saying anything of such to the public so as to preserve the reputation of the club otherwise if players open their mouth to start talking about their experience with their clubs, you could hate the clubs you claim you support.

[DiMarxist]

Nigerian Premier League (NPFL) played five matches today and three draw and two wins.

Plateau United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes.

Kano Pillars 0-2 Remo Stars

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Sunshine Stars 0-0 Abia Warriors

Kwara United 0-0 Ikorodu City. I was expecting Kano pillars to win their game but they didn't.

[Marykeller]

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Match result of week 3. Heartland have failed to have their second home victory. Their first and second match was a lost match to them, but this time around it was a goalless draw. With the way their performance is going, relegation is not far from them. They will face relegation again; I just hope they will have the 400 million naira to pay to come back to compete for the next season of Nigeria's Premier League.


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ui3488S4MRrt1Eri/?mibextid=oFDknk

[Docnaster]

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Match result of week 3. Heartland have failed to have their second home victory. Their first and second match was a lost match to them, but this time around it was a goalless draw. With the way their performance is going, relegation is not far from them. They will face relegation again; I just hope they will have the 400 million naira to pay to come back to compete for the next season of Nigeria's Premier League.


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ui3488S4MRrt1Eri/?mibextid=oFDknk

Paying 400 million naira I don't think is impossible for Heartland and my reason of saying so is because the club is being funded by the state government which i know is more than capable of releasing such amount of funds to the organizers of the NPFL. In recent seasons, the Okigwe based club have been poor with their performances and that's why they're struggling to remain in the Nigerian top flight. If the state government of Imo State still wants the team to improve, then he should invest in the team by signing quality players

[Marykeller]

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Match result of week 3. Heartland have failed to have their second home victory. Their first and second match was a lost match to them, but this time around it was a goalless draw. With the way their performance is going, relegation is not far from them. They will face relegation again; I just hope they will have the 400 million naira to pay to come back to compete for the next season of Nigeria's Premier League.


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ui3488S4MRrt1Eri/?mibextid=oFDknk

Paying 400 million naira I don't think is impossible for Heartland and my reason of saying so is because the club is being funded by the state government which i know is more than capable of releasing such amount of funds to the organizers of the NPFL. In recent seasons, the Okigwe based club have been poor with their performances and that's why they're struggling to remain in the Nigerian top flight. If the state government of Imo State still wants the team to improve, then he should invest in the team by signing quality players

When I was told about 400 million naira paid by Heartland FC to take the slot of Beyond Limits FC, I doubted it at first until I was told to look at the 2023/2024 NPFL table, where Heartland spot was found last season's "relegation zone''.

I thought the 400 million offer was all true when I saw the NPFL table last season and the answer Google provided.

That being said, I think I will disregard the information to be all false because a state club funding 400 million naira for a slot in the NPFL, while they couldn't sign many quality players sounds foolish, and unwise acts for any state government to do.

The explanation of how it happened, and why Heartland FC took Beyond Limits FC's spot in the NPFL, you can find the information here

[DiMarxist]

That being said, I think I will disregard the information to be all false because a state club funding 400 million naira for a slot in the NPFL, while they couldn't sign many quality players sounds foolish, and unwise acts for any state government to do.

The explanation of how it happened, and why Heartland FC took Beyond Limits FC's spot in the NPFL, you can find the information here

  Thank you very much for the link, I was really confused how a club used N400,000,000 but a slot. But as I read the story from the link I got everything and how it happened. And I don't know how much a club can make in Nigeria National Football or NPFL that made Heartland to buy Beyond Limits FC with that big amount. And since Beyond Limits FC and another club is owned by one person and the NFPL rules against such to play in one tournament then they would given out the slot to another qualify club with fee or keeps it vacant. The 400m was too much.
The rule NFPL played was good by upholding their ru rules but the amount offered to occupied the slot was too big.

[Fiatless]

When I was told about 400 million naira paid by Heartland FC to take the slot of Beyond Limits FC, I doubted it at first until I was told to look at the 2023/2024 NPFL table, where Heartland spot was found last season's "relegation zone''.

I thought the 400 million offer was all true when I saw the NPFL table last season and the answer Google provided.

That being said, I think I will disregard the information to be all false because a state club funding 400 million naira for a slot in the NPFL, while they couldn't sign many quality players sounds foolish, and unwise acts for any state government to do.

The explanation of how it happened, and why Heartland FC took Beyond Limits FC's spot in the NPFL, you can find the information here

Will the club be able to recover the amount they have used to acquire the slots? I don't think the Nigerian professional league is that lucrative to give a club a profit of such an amount in a season. Maybe the state government just bought the slot for passion or pride for football. The club also invested a good amount in a new coach and some players.

The new coach who was a former Flying Eagles and the Tanzania national team has the list of the club's new players as follows

Elvis Ori (Bayelsa United), Kelvin Ogunga (Bayelsa United), Udochukwu Anumudu (Abia Warriors), Louis Umoh Anthony (Heartland Feeders), Alex Godwin (Niger Tornadoes), Julius Namitanie (Giant Brillars), Offor Emmanuel Chibueze (Giant Brillars), Adoh Chuks Frank (De First Atlanta FA), Ebuka Nwokoecha (Diamond FA). Others include; Olanrewaju Molade (Giant Brillars), Chukwudi Agor (Giant Brillars), Ikwu Ejike (Rangers International FC), Osinachi Wilson (Eagle Eye), Nnaemeka Christian Nkwo (Giant Brillars), Ezra David (Superstars FA), Uchenna David (Foster FA)
Bobo Chubuike (Dynamic Shuttle), Onuwa Temple Chigozirim (Er7), Chikamso Obasi (De Gideons FA),Nkemakolam Chigozie Godwin (Umuakuma FA),Chukwuma Chinedu (Taiye Academy). Also in the list are; Kelvin Onah (Legacy Stars),Samuel Wisdom (Giant Brillars), Emmanuel Charles (Rangers International FC), Joshua Odo (Rangers International FC), Suraju Lawal (Giant Brillars), Chukwuma Agoha (Brighter Tomorrow FC),Obinna Okere (Brighter Tomorrow), Benjamin Victor (Brighter Tomorrow) and Chukwuma Agor (Brighter Tomorrow).

Source

Building a new team might be complicated. Maybe the players are getting to understand the coach and players, Heartland might improve as they play more games.

[Sandra_hakeem]

When I was told about 400 million naira paid by Heartland FC to take the slot of Beyond Limits FC, I doubted it at first until I was told to look at the 2023/2024 NPFL table, where Heartland spot was found last season's "relegation zone''.

I thought the 400 million offer was all true when I saw the NPFL table last season and the answer Google provided.

I just read through this information... Now lemme get this straight; Heartland FC is a state club and, to the best of my knowledge, so many state clubs come together to form the Nigerian premier league? If yes, what has 400 million and the word "slot" got to do with this statement? Do the NPFL give out limited slots for the state teams as an auction for the highest bidder to claim the spot? I thought they were supposed to choose from the qualifiers or am I missing something here?

That being said, I think I will disregard the information to be all false because a state club funding 400 million naira for a slot in the NPFL, while they couldn't sign many quality players sounds foolish, and unwise acts for any state government to do.

I'd take to the quote that says - Believe anything on the Internet at your own peril. If they wanna run some rehabilitation project on pitches around where these games are played, and everyone else contributes, I'll understand... But this?

[Fiatless]

When I was told about 400 million naira paid by Heartland FC to take the slot of Beyond Limits FC, I doubted it at first until I was told to look at the 2023/2024 NPFL table, where Heartland spot was found last season's "relegation zone''.

I thought the 400 million offer was all true when I saw the NPFL table last season and the answer Google provided.

I just read through this information... Now lemme get this straight; Heartland FC is a state club and, to the best of my knowledge, so many state clubs come together to form the Nigerian premier league? If yes, what has 400 million and the word "slot" got to do with this statement? Do the NPFL give out limited slots for the state teams as an auction for the highest bidder to claim the spot? I thought they were supposed to choose from the qualifiers or am I missing something here?

Clubs don't buy slots but this case is a special one. A law exists that forbids two or more clubs under one management or ownership to compete in the Nigeria Premier Football League. This is also the case in most football leagues in other countries. Beyond Limits Football Academy and Remo Stars are owned by the same company and both of them are qualified to play in the Nigerian Premier League. One of these clubs will have to relinquish their spot.

The club owners decide that Beyond Limits Football Academy will step down and play in the second division. However, the NPFL is claiming that money didn't change hands between Heartland and the other club since it contravenes the NPFL Framework and Rule. But I also doubt if nothing happened in the secret.

https://punchng.com/heartland-didnt-buy-beyond-limits-slot-npfl/

[Abbatty]

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Match result of week 3. Heartland have failed to have their second home victory. Their first and second match was a lost match to them, but this time around it was a goalless draw. With the way their performance is going, relegation is not far from them. They will face relegation again; I just hope they will have the 400 million naira to pay to come back to compete for the next season of Nigeria's Premier League.


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ui3488S4MRrt1Eri/?mibextid=oFDknk

This is the Nigerian premier league, I think just after 3 matches it too early to talk about relegations, I know in this league winning your home matches is a big necessity and Heartland didn't win their last home match but at least they where able to scrap out a point. And if you should check the log currently they are more than 7 teams with just a point in their last 3 matches so I still believe there is a chance for Heartland if they can get their team right.

Like the league is a very funny league you could win just one match and you can move from 19 to 12 that the Nigerian league, I could remember last season how Niger tornadoes won 3 matches in a row and they actually move from the relegation zone to the 13 I think. So it actually too early to decide or conclude about relegations.

Heartland are one of the most stubborn team in the league so i won't wnat to see them relgate and they are always stronger towards the ending of season.

[Agbe]

Clubs don't buy slots but this case is a special one. A law exists that forbids two or more clubs under one management or ownership to compete in the Nigeria Premier Football League. This is also the case in most football leagues in other countries. Beyond Limits Football Academy and Remo Stars are owned by the same company and both of them are qualified to play in the Nigerian Premier League. One of these clubs will have to relinquish their spot.

The club owners decide that Beyond Limits Football Academy will step down and play in the second division. However, the NPFL is claiming that money didn't change hands between Heartland and the other club since it contravenes the NPFL Framework and Rule. But I also doubt if nothing happened in the secret.

https://punchng.com/heartland-didnt-buy-beyond-limits-slot-npfl/

That was what I also saw in the article from the link. If clubs we're to buy slots then richer clubs would have bought slots without stressed and not even bother themselves to play in the pre match games. (Just for emphasis). What also baffled me in this issue is the 400 millions. If Remo Stars and Beyond Limits FC are owned by one person or management and all qualified for the last season and that against the law so Beyond Limits FC was withdrawn from the competition and to play in this season. My question is why the slot was not given to the next qualified team free instead of paying 400 millions. Since they have disqualified and if nobody accept the slot again then slot would be vacant therefore NNFA/NFF would have taken renumeration and full up the slot. Though as you said we don't know what they did underground. And also that has passed. And the management of the two teams has spent money to reach the qualification stage but the amount requested was too big as for me.

[Adiljutt156]

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Match result of week 3. Heartland have failed to have their second home victory. Their first and second match was a lost match to them, but this time around it was a goalless draw. With the way their performance is going, relegation is not far from them. They will face relegation again; I just hope they will have the 400 million naira to pay to come back to compete for the next season of Nigeria's Premier League.


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ui3488S4MRrt1Eri/?mibextid=oFDknk

Now we are habitual to see that kind of match because both teams mostly match ended with draw result.  Heartland team should prepare well for that match but they could not do any goal in this match and they disappointed their fans. We saw both teams in competition in last five matches and from which Heartland team won 2 matches and 3 matches were draw . We want goal in that match because without goal how fans will enjoy and how team will get importance. Players should be full prepare for that match but their body language was not good and they were looking like they are tired and their passes were also no powerful.

[Marykeller]

Heartland Owerri 0-0 Katsina United

Match result of week 3. Heartland have failed to have their second home victory. Their first and second match was a lost match to them, but this time around it was a goalless draw. With the way their performance is going, relegation is not far from them. They will face relegation again; I just hope they will have the 400 million naira to pay to come back to compete for the next season of Nigeria's Premier League.


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ui3488S4MRrt1Eri/?mibextid=oFDknk

This is the Nigerian premier league, I think just after 3 matches it too early to talk about relegations, I know in this league winning your home matches is a big necessity and Heartland didn't win their last home match but at least they where able to scrap out a point. And if you should check the log currently they are more than 7 teams with just a point in their last 3 matches so I still believe there is a chance for Heartland if they can get their team right.

Like the league is a very funny league you could win just one match and you can move from 19 to 12 that the Nigerian league, I could remember last season how Niger tornadoes won 3 matches in a row and they actually move from the relegation zone to the 13 I think. So it actually too early to decide or conclude about relegations.

Heartland are one of the most stubborn team in the league so i won't wnat to see them relgate and they are always stronger towards the ending of season.

When it would have been best to say this ''Heartland showing a stronger performance towards the end of the season" would have been if the old, mature quality players were still in the Heartland squad. Since the introduction of a new coach by the present government and the reshuffle of the team by introducing young star players to the team, the Heartland FC you know before "to always show a good performance" is not the same currently because a whole lot has changed in the team, making the team not too formidable as they were known before.

That being said, I just wish to see the Heartland FC making it out of the relegation zone this time around by winning some of their home or away matches. It will feel better than having another disappointing season compared to last season when they went to relegation by having 9 wins, 11 draws, and 18 loss matches(to sum up 38 points)