Nigerian Football Coaches Hail NPFL Board, NFF For League Stability

As the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season enters its final three matchdays, the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has issued a rare and resounding vote of confidence in the league’s administrative leadership.

A statement signed by the coaches’ body specifically praised the NPFL board, chaired by Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, alongside the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for delivering what it called “significant administrative progress and structural stability” in the ongoing campaign.

For decades, the NPFL has been synonymous with fixture chaos, postponed matches, calendar clashes, and unresolved disputes trailing long after the final whistle. But this season, the NFCA noted a sharp departure from that norm. As of Matchday 35, every single fixture has been played without any outstanding rescheduling.

The association described this as “a new level of discipline and effective planning,” adding that the league has successfully aligned its calendar with continental competitions — a feat rarely achieved in previous years.

The coaches’ association was particularly effusive about the NPFL board’s ability to navigate operational and administrative hurdles without compromising the integrity of the competition. From handling club licensing issues to mediating disputes over match venues and player eligibility, the board, according to the NFCA, has shown “proactive crisis management” that kept the season on track. “For the first time in a long while, coaches know exactly when and where they are playing next. That clarity has improved tactical preparation and reduced needless tension,” the statement read.

The NFF also received equal acknowledgement, not just for oversight but for tangible developmental initiatives. The NFCA highlighted ongoing programs to uplift coaching standards through refresher courses and certification pathways. More notably, they pointed to improvements in refereeing performance and welfare, better pay, stricter accountability, and post-match assessments — which have contributed to fewer controversial decisions and a gradual restoration of trust in officiating.

On the pitch, the NFCA observed a sharp rise in competitiveness. With the title race still undecided and the relegation battle reaching a climax, the season has produced a balanced and unpredictable contest. Away victories have become more common, suggesting that travel hardships and hostile crowds no longer guarantee home dominance. Young Nigerian talents have broken into starting lineups across several clubs, and the top scorers’ chart remains tightly contested — all signs, according to the coaches, of technical and tactical growth.

The association also cited better matchday organisation, from stadium security to medical facilities, as evidence that governance reforms are translating into real-world improvements. “Coaches no longer dread travelling to certain venues. There is growing confidence in how matches are handled,” the NFCA noted.

Reaffirming its role as a critical technical stakeholder, the NFCA pledged continued collaboration with the NPFL board and the NFF. It stressed that the gains of the 2025/26 season are not accidental but the result of deliberate reforms, improved planning, and a shared vision.

“Sustained cooperation between administrators and coaches is the only path to long-term development,” the association concluded, urging all parties to build on this foundation for future seasons.