Former chairman of Nasarawa United, Ibrahim Abdullahi Osanga has applauded the efforts of Gbenga Elegbeleye-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) towards taking the country’s top football league to greater heights.
Osanga made the commendation in a chat with LEADERSHIP Sports on Tuesday, saying the IMC has improved the image of the league by ensuring that the win at home syndrome become a thing of the past in the league.
“The IMC has changed the narrative of the Nigeria Professional Football League for good because we can see now that a must win at home syndrome has fizzled out completely. It is now, let the best team win. So, we are heading somewhere. We are not there yet but we will surely get there if we continue with the good work by Gbenga Elegbeleye and his team at the IMC.
“The old days of where a home team must win is over and we are now seeing good football in our stadiums where the best team wins. Any team can now win anywhere if you play well and I think Elegbeleye and his team deserve commendation,” Osanga stated.
He urged the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to extend the tenure and mandate of the IMC beyond the current football league for another three or four more seasons to enable the committee to stabilise the system in line with global best practice. …
“I don’t know Elegbeleye anywhere but I can say it loud and clear that he is doing a good job and he should be allowed to continue after the current season for another three or four seasons to stabilize the system.
“Our problem in Nigeria is continuity. If they bring in different people to take over, they may not continue with this good initiative by Elegbeleye and his team in cleansing our league of bad officiating and corruption. But if they allow them to continue, at least for three or four seasons, people will start trooping to Stadiums to watch matches because they will have value for their money and time unlike in the past where you already knew which team will win before going to stadium.
Osanga however tasked the committee not to rest on their oars, insisting that there is still room for improvement in the officiating.
“They still need to improve on officiating, it is all about money but to add value. Money will come and go, but the legacy you will leave behind will remain forever. They should stop any form of interference in the league, assisting clubs to win to secure continental tickets or escape relegation,” Osanga added.
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