The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has faced a significant setback, now positioned 13th among Africa’s football leagues and no longer part of the top 10, as indicated by the latest rankings.
This drop in ranking carries serious consequences for Nigerian football, as clubs in the nation have lost their opportunity to field four teams in CAF competitions.
Previously, the NPFL was entitled to send two teams to the CAF Champions League and two to the CAF Confederation Cup. Under the new rankings, only two teams will represent Nigeria: the league champions and the winners of the President Federation Cup.
Egypt leads the rankings, followed by Morocco and Algeria in second and third place, respectively. South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) holds the fourth position, with Tunisia rounding out the top five.
North African nations continue to assert their dominance in the upper echelon of African football.
The NPFL’s decline raises alarms about the current state of Nigerian football and its competitiveness against the continent’s elite. Without prompt corrective actions, the league may face further deterioration on the continental front.
