Eguavoen: What the League Needs, Not What You Think

 

I recently read remarks credited to Austin Eguavoen, the NFF Technical Adviser, concerning Eric Chelle’s inability or unwillingness to include Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players in the Super Eagles squad. Honestly, I almost wept.

Not just because the statement was disappointing, but because it once again reflected a familiar Nigerian pattern: finding someone to blame after every tournament—be it a coach, a player, or a system, rather than confronting the real problems head-on.

This is not to disrespect Austin Eguavoen. Far from it. He is a respected football figure and a proud member of Nigeria’s iconic 1994 generation. I have even written in praise of that legendary squad before (https://kutisabifootball.blogspot.com/2026/01/thought-this-was-it-but-class-of-1994.html?m=1). But precisely because of his experience, he should know better.

The woeful results and disappointing performances in the last CHAN only highlight the lack of readiness. With an outing like that, it’s hard to give anyone a second thought when they criticize league players’ suitability for the Super Eagles. This proves once again that the real problem isn’t the players themselves, but the conditions in which they are developed.

What Nigerian football needs is not the forced inclusion of league players in the national team.

What we need is to create conditions that make league players worthy of the national team.


What Serious Football Nations Do

In developed footballing countries, the national team is not used as a development platform. It is a reward, a destination for players who have proven themselves under the highest standards, tactically, mentally, and professionally.

If we truly want NPFL players in the Super Eagles, the solution is not emotional pressure or public statements. The solution is to fix the league itself.

Eguavoen, and those in charge, should travel, observe, and study how football is run elsewhere, not just on the pitch, but off it.

1. Pitches

You cannot play modern football on poor surfaces. Bad pitches destroy technique, slow decision-making, and increase injuries. A league that wants respect must invest in playable, consistent pitches across all venues.

2. Wages and Contracts

Players in the NPFL are not just underpaid; many are owed for months, sometimes an entire season. Even worse, contracts are often weak, poorly written, or not enforced.

In serious leagues:

Contracts are legal documents

Minimum wage standards exist

Defaulting clubs are sanctioned

If a club cannot pay wages, it should not be licensed to compete. Professional football cannot survive where contracts are treated like verbal promises.

3. Infrastructure

From training facilities to medical units, gyms, and recovery centers, most NPFL clubs are miles behind. Football today is science-driven. Without infrastructure, talent alone is wasted.

4. Proper Documentation

This includes clear age verification, player registration systems, and data tracking. A credible league must remove all doubts surrounding player identity and eligibility.

5. Academics and Grassroots Development

When I say academics, I mean structured football education from the grassroots.

Under-10, Under-12, Under-15, Under-17 levels must be properly organized and monitored. Young players should be taught:

Football intelligence

Discipline and decision-making

Rules of the game

Basic education alongside football

You cannot build a strong senior league without fixing the foundation.

6. Football as a Business

Clubs must be run as businesses, not charity projects. Transparency, accounting, sponsorship management, and long-term planning are essential.

7. Sponsorship

A league without sponsors lacks credibility. Proper branding, visibility, and professionalism attract investment, not sentiments.

8. Fans in the Stands

Football thrives on supporters. Safe stadiums, proper scheduling, good officiating, and entertainment value will bring fans back.

9. Monetary Gain for the Country

Nigeria is currently operating a tax-focused economic policy. Football can contribute.

Countries like Brazil benefit economically when players are exported abroad. Nigeria can introduce a structured percentage or levy on outbound transfers, generating millions in revenue, money that can be reinvested into football development.

10. Football People in Football Offices

Administrators should understand the game. Passion alone is not enough. Football requires expertise.

11. Over-Reliance on Government

State-owned clubs dominate the NPFL, yet many struggle financially. Football does not have to be owned by governments alone.

Clubs can be owned by:

Individuals

Companies

Consortiums

Groups of football-loving investors

Private ownership encourages accountability and innovation.

12. Media, Branding, and League Identity

The NPFL must look professional:

Standardized jersey quality

Proper numbering and lettering

Mandatory sponsors on kits

No blank jerseys

Sanctions for poor standards

Presentation matters.

13. League Structure and Hierarchy

Nigeria needs a clearly defined football pyramid:

Third Division

Second Division

First Division

Regional leagues based on geopolitical zones can reduce travel costs. After regional play, teams can converge in Abuja for a playoff-style tournament to determine final standings.

14. Coaches’ Education

Coaching curricula must be updated to modern standards. Regular training, workshops, and licensing are essential. The game has evolved, our coaching must evolve too.

15. Refereeing Standards

It is embarrassing that Nigerian referees are rarely selected for major CAF tournaments. This reflects poor training, welfare, and evaluation systems.

16. Medical Facilities, Health Insurance, and Life Assurance

Injuries are inevitable in football. Clubs must provide:

Qualified medical staff

Onsite treatment for training and match days

Health insurance for injury-related treatment for the contract duration

Life assurance in case of death while playing or traveling

We’ve all seen videos of injured players like Enyimba stars stretched out and in pain, handled poorly, or the sad case of Samuel Solomon, a former ABS Ilorin player, forced online to fund his treatment after sustaining an NNL playoff injury in 2023. This is unacceptable.

17. Functional NPFL Office: The Heartbeat of Professional Football

Here’s the truth: all the NPFL chaos, the missed sponsorships, the shaky player welfare, the wage delays — it boils down to one thing: a league office that actually works. Everything else depends on it.

Imagine this:

A central hub in Abuja with departments for administration, competitions, finance, marketing, and development.

An official website and portal for daily updates, fixtures, announcements, and reports.

A staff management system to track performance and check dubious activities.

A document management system for player registrations, contracts, and transfers.

Meeting and hearing rooms for committees to enforce rules, sanctions, and policies.

Without this, clubs flounder, sponsors hesitate, referees get ignored, and players suffer. With it? Everything — from wages to medical insurance, to monetization, to national team readiness — finally has a foundation.

Bottom line: If Nigeria wants the NPFL to be taken seriously, to grow, and to earn revenue like leagues abroad, this office isn’t optional — it’s mission-critical.

18. League Size Over Numbers

Nigeria has over 200 million people, but population size does not equal football quality.

If only 10 clubs are truly ready, financially stable, paying wages, meeting licensing requirements, then a 10-team league is enough.

A smaller, well-run league is better than a bloated, dysfunctional one. Expansion should come only when standards are met.

Quality first. Quantity later.

Final Thought

Austin Eguavoen’s concern should not be about why NPFL players are not in the Super Eagles.

The real question is: what are we doing to make them deserve it?

Fix the league.

Fix the structure.

Fix the standards.

When that happens, no coach will need persuasion to select league players, they will select themselves.

Disclaimer

This is my personal opinion as a football lover. I welcome constructive arguments—for or against, in the comments section. Let’s talk football, not sentiments.

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