Nigerian musician Segun Akinlolu, popularly referred to as Beautiful Nubia is confident that the Nigerian Professional Football League has innumerable potentials, which can be exploited by the youths.
The musician was in one of the stadia to watch Ibadan-based side Shooting Stars in one of their league games and expressed his delight with his discoveries.
According to him, the division can solve the problem of unemployment and encouraged national coaches to get their players from the league instead of turning to Europe to source for players.
Akinlolu wrote: “[I] went to watch a Shooting Stars game the other with my brother & crew. It was fun. And safe.
“Despite the glaring shortcomings of the NPFL, the league has great potential for youth employment & wealth creation. We should be looking more inwards. Not Europe & EPL all the time.”
Shooting Stars are currently sixth on the league table with 49 points from 31 games.
Who are the notable legends of the NPFL?
Stephen Keshi
Stephen Keshi spent some periods playing in the Nigerian league where he won the West African Club Championship with New Nigeria Bank and in 1983 and 1984.
The former defender, who was popularly called ‘the big boss” was a huge success in the domestic league before departing the shores of Nigeria to continue his career in Ivory Coast.
Vincent Enyeama
Vincent Enyeama starred for Enyimba Football Club during his time in the NPFL had a telling impact with the side and the league.
The goalkeeper helped the Elephants of Aba to win three NPFL titles and three CAF Champions League trophies. The former Super Eagles star featured prominently for the domestic side before leaving for Israel to continue playing his trade.
During his time with Enyimba, he received his maiden call-up to the national team and was one of the consistent players for the side. He was instrumental to the Super Eagles’ third-place finish at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sunday Mba
Sunday Mba played for Rangers and Warri Wolves in the domestic league before departing for Europe. His quick thinking and extraordinary individual displays engendered him to his fans and he was soon noticed by Keshi, who was in charge of the national team.
Mbah was handed a chance to feature for the Super Eagles at the 2013 AFCON and made the most of the opportunity, scoring crucial goals at the tournament to help the side to win the trophy for the third time in their history.
