The Nigeria league was once upon a time a great football competition generating local interest and providing steady entertainment.
Traditional teams like Shooting Stars, Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars, Mighty Jets, Calabar Rovers, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Abiola Babes, Bendel Insurance, just to mention a few, commanded respect and huge fan bases who thronged the match venues to watch their darling teams with peace of mind.
Players, coaches and match officials did their business without fear of being molested as home fans even appreciated good football from visiting teams.
When the Shehu Dikko-led League Management Company (LMC) running the NPFL came in, we the lovers of the Nigeria league were promised a lot that gave us joy that our league is going to be at par with what we have in North African countries and South Africa at least, but that has not been the case.
The Dikko-led LMC promised multiple sponsors for the league but the league has been running now for years without sponsors.
The league was on DSTV previously, but all of a sudden that also stopped before NPFL TV came up recently.
When I see the state of the pitch at the stadiums LMC approved to stage league games, cattle grazing sites are better than some.
Our league kick-off date, which ought to be celebrated, is severally postponed.
Violence has been the order of the day in the league now, and LMC is not doing enough because it is at the mercy of the very clubs they are meant to sanction.
The players went to the pitch to work and not to war as security at match venues has been compromised on countless occasions.
I learnt that LMC is not paying referees’ indemnities, of that is the case the home team will want to win at all costs if they are the one paying the referee.
Shehu Dikko and LMC board are not doing anything serious to punish club who go against the rules of the games.
It was Kano Pillars fans the other time, now it is Plateau United fans.
Who can save our dear league?
