NPFL: The Oddity of the End
As a follow up on the previous announcement made by the LMC concerning NPFL, I decided to play round with some interviews (for my non sports lovers, something is cooking hun)..
It was a long talk as I spoke with top notch sports journos and a player.. Let's get to it already
GODWIN ENAKHENA
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
GE: The league wasn’t postponed because of the World Cup. This decision was taken before the season started and it is the traditional mid season break agreed to by all involved in the league, League Management Company and Club Owners. If the Giwa and Pinnick didn’t happen, the league would’ve ended as planned.
Yes, the postponement was necessary and okay.
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
GE: Like I said before, but for the Giwa/NFF issue which is still lingering, the league would’ve ended smoothly. Don’t forget that one of many decisions taken by Giwa after a court order implemented by the Minister of Sports, was to sack the LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko and his COO, Salihu Abubakar and replaced them with a caretaker to run the league. This caused a lot of confusion and the club owners were helplesss not knowing who to take instructions from.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
GE: The LMC is an independent body but under the apron of the NFF that was in turmoil with different leaders at some point and the Minister of Sports dancing to what looks on the surface like premeditated tunes played by the courts in Abuja and Jos.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
GE: In my opinion as someone who wears the shoes, ending the league now is the best option. You can’t play 14 NPFL games, loads of FA Cup games and Enyimba FC games that will be rescheduled due to their involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup under three weeks with our chaotic transportation system, bad roads, security challenges and distance. The players are human beings and not horses. Even horses get tired at some point.
Lobi Stars FC Of Makurdi have been the most consistent this season and we’re not topping the table by mistake. Go and check the records.
In my opinion, they deserve to represent Nigeria on the continent.
Relegating other clubs would be great injustice. Injustice would’ve been if there was not going to be promotion of teams from the lower division. Thank God teams will be promoted.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
GE: Our league isn’t and won’t suffer. We found ourselves in a quagmire that needed quick-fix solution and the LMC and Club Owners dealt with it the best way.
Would we have been able to finish the league without it having negative effects on the health of our players? No way. How about the desperation to win at all cost by some clubs? It would’ve recorded an all time high. Referees would’ve been maimed and hooliganism would’ve been the other of the day.
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as if did in 2017/2018 season?
GE: Elections are for a few days, not forever. The league is for months and Governors who are seeking reelections would look for funds for their clubs to be in the good books of the electorates.
EMEKA NWANI
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
EN: Yes it is necessary because we can't resume the league under the very tense atmosphere of the Amaju Giwa battle
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
EN: Yes the resumption was really affected by the Amaju/ Giwa crisis
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
EN: LMC is independent to the extent that the NFF gave them powers to be. NFF created LMC and there is no way they can be more independent than not operating outside NFF which is only body allowed to control and regulate football in Nigeria.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
EN: Other clubs cannot be relegated because the season did not really end. So the best option is to allow Lobi Stars represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League
You will notice in the LMC press release that they did not say Lobi Stars are champions. They just said they will represent Nigeria in the Champions league
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
EN: There is no time to meet up with the new CAF calendar and Nigeria don't want to lag behind. The date for the submission of every country's representative is October 15th.
The league may not be able to finish before that date and the decisions taken is the best for now
NPFL will not face any bad fate because the managers of the teams will try as much as possible to get all the money they need for next season
ANDREW RANDA
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
AR: Firstly I have no issues with the league going on break, it's not the first time its happened. Again it's a World Cup year so probably the LMC and the NFF felt majority of the guys running the NPFL would be in Russia for the World Cup or anything related to that so they decided to go on a break. This has happened before like earlier said even the duration wasn't long it was just like 3 weeks to 1 month it's something that was really needed. Some of the players actually told me they were very happy about the break and they were glad they could rest, chill and do some stuff. Other leagues were also on break not all the Leagues but it wasn't really a bad idea.
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
AR: Absolutely, the issue here is if the league had gone on break and the resumed on time and the league would have been concluded on time. The Giwa and Pinnick issue was a major reason why the league didn't resume on time because most of the actors that are part of the league and NFF are also the same people that are running the league. This crisis took a political side. For example would you rather say the league would continue and the commissioner of sports says no you mustn't continue or no you mustn't join this group. The Nigerian football is basically the government even the LMC is tied to the NFF and the NFF is tied to the government. The State Governors and the Commissioner of Sports are the ones to make decisions in their states so they are kind of entangled to the government. Don't forget there was a time the NRA said they can't work with some set of people because some people were told not to go to the office, these set of people have been suspended. At a point Giwa went into the glass house and said the league has been suspended, how are we supposed to run a league based? Just imagine Lobi Stars on their way to Maiduguri to play Elkanemi and they are told to stop because the do not recognise this referee. It was really a mess and no matter how much you try to put it there are so many things involved. You have to understand that the crisis was reason why the league stopped.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
AR: Don't forget the LMC yes is independent but they do not appoint referees, match accessors and match commissioners but the NFF does that. That's a huge difference and that is something people are not paying attention. The LMC is just to repair the league, make sure that the league goes well. They don't take care of the referees and they do not appoint referees. Referees come directly from the NFF and if the NFF is on crisis what do you think would happen? it's just a two way thing. Independence doesn't mean you cannot speak with anybody or cannot be under someone else's supervision. Whatever the LMC does has to be ratified by the NFF, it has nothing to do with the league in that sense, LMC itself is a management company, they are independent and the NFF does not bother them on how to manage the league. The NFF only supports and collaborate with the LMC to make the league functional so we need to get that correct.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
AR: Lobi Stars were not declared winners they were only declared as the team to represent Nigeria at the continent so technically you can't say they are champions. Based on that and the fact that the league was not completed the teams cannot be relegated. What happened in my understanding is that the league had to be stopped on Match Day 24 as Lobi Stars by virtue of sitting at the top of the table was nominated as the team to represent Nigeria but there's no statement that states they are the champions so technically I don't know how that works out so basically they are the winners there's no second place, no third place or relegation. Based on the format that was sent for the 2018/2019 season I don't think any team should be relegated because there are no champions technically.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
AR: The whole essence of getting the league champions for the representatives of a country is one of the reasons why we play this league. So apart from being champions there is also a added bonus of being the team that represents Nigeria on the continent so if that's supposed to be taken into cognisance and given a bit of a reference I wouldn't use that language in the sense that the league would suffer. We brought this upon ourselves and remember one team has been deducted from Nigeria's reps. We have one rep and for us to get the numerics back and compete with two teams in both CAF champions league and CAF confederations cup we needed to get a team to the tournament. Luckily Enyimba has qualified for the quarterfinal, so it's looking good for Nigeria. The 2018 season has already suffered a lot of crisis I don't think this literally translates "to must the league suffer"? I'm pretty sure it's a one off and it won't happen again.
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as if did in 2017/2018 season?
AR: Considering the election in 2019, it's being happening over the years and I don't really understand what people are saying as regards the election in 2019. This is not the first time election would happen in Nigeria, leagues have been done and concluded so I don't understand how this is much of a big deal. Again the league might be suspended for a week or two prior to the elections but the bottom line is going to finish in May start by November, so there will be a lot of home and away fixtures in a week so we might get to see two games in a week more or less. November to May is basically like six months which is enough to play a 38 match league so I think people are just too obnoxious to say the elections will affect the NPFL.
TOBI ADEPOJU
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
TB: To educate ourselves, it wasn't a postponement, it was the midseason break agreed by the Clubs and LMC during their AGM before the season kicked off. 24 matchday's were played and the players
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
TB: Obviously, yes. The second round of the season was scheduled to kickoff immediately after the World Cup but the crisis began few days after Nigeria got knocked out in Russia.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
TB: We have to understand the fact that Federation across the world regulate the Referees and Match Commissioner Committees. There are 8 the elements working with the LMC every matchday. The LMC are organizing the league on behalf of the clubs and the parent body, the NFF. Independency means, we have librated from the previous years where Clubs organized their own election and elected Chairman of the league among themselves. The NFF few years ago, decided to set up a company to run the league.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
TB:The rules are clear, you've to play the other 19 clubs home and away before emerging as champions. Reason why LMC's press release was clear, the clubs agreed that Lobi Stars should represent them, we don't have a winner this season because the season wasn't concluded. The same rules also affected the relegation status, you can't relegate a team that didn't finish the games. How do we judge the relegated teams? Even with two games, any team can still survive relegation.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
TB: I disagree with the clubs decision to abrupt the league but there are several complains, financial problem from both LMC and the Clubs was the main reason the league was concluded at matchday 24. Maybe, they consider the vacuum in next season CAF tournaments, but my opinion won't change, it was a wrong decision.
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as if did in 2017/2018 season?
TB: We have had league season during the election. Obviously, clubs would struggle in terms money, reason why we have clamour for a business policy for our clubs. If our clubs are able to generate 60% of their annual budget from match day tickets, sponsorships, merchandising and more, they won't need to wait for government subvention. We might face similar problem next season, this same problem has been there since we have more government clubs.
CHINA ACHERU
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
CA: It wasn't. If we wanted the league to continue in spite of the crises, it would have. Those who decided to suspend the league know why. I've not yet been convinced it was the right thing to do. But here we are.
MO: Do you think the resumption of the npfl was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
CA: It was. Because the Pinnick/ Giwa crises was cited as the reason. I'm just not convinced it was enough reason to suspend the league.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
CA: Search me. I thought that was the idea behind them bring independent. To shield the league from incidents like this. But you'll have to look at other groups like the referees, referee appointment committee, etc who are not answerable to the LMC
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
CA: No statement declares Lobo stars as league winners actually. Just Nigeria's representative in the CAF champions league. Funny, right. How no club was relegated, I do not know. It simply doesn't make sense.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
CA: People think yes. The clubs own the league and they voted accordingly. That's what they wanted
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as it did in 2017/2018 season?
CA: It will. There will be a 2 week break for Christmas and a 2 month break for elections. #ThisIsNigeria
ZIKIYE JONATHAN
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
JO: Well I have to say here that the league was never postponed in the first place, it was a mid season break. it has been schedule from the beginning that the league would go on break during the world cup. So it was necessary for the players to rest a little and come back strong for the remaining games, but unfortunately that was the end.
MO: How do you feel about the decision of making Lobi Stars represent Nigeria at CAF
JO: As for the decision making Lobi Stars champions of 2018 season and representatives of the country in next year's CAF champions league it was a hard decision to take by the LMC but was unanimously agreed by club chairmen. I think a lot would have been put into consideration couple with the fact that the timing is short, we can't meet up CAF deadline, players health, welfare and the stress involved hence they needed to end the league abruptly. Lobi Stars have been on top of their game since the start of the season though the title is still open for the first six teams buh it was a good decision to crown them champions.
MO: How would you grade the NPFL? What improvement would you want to see?
JO: I can't grade the NPFL for now. if not for this abrupt end of the league this season the NPFL has improved so much in terms of organisation especially since LMC took over in 2013, referee factor has improved tremendously, there has been a level playing field for teams playing home and away games as many away wins were recorded, fine imposed on fans for violence also teams and players for breach of rules, it wasn't so in the past. Since there is always room for improvement I believe we will still improve more.
MO: As a player of MFM, how would you rate the clubs performance this season?
JO: Well as a player of MFM, I would say our performers this season was below, compare to the feat we archived last season as we were runners up of the league last season but it does happen in football, ups and downs but even at that we didn't do too badly this season.
MO: What are your expectations for the NPFL 2018/2019 season?
JO: Like I said before there always room for improvement, I expect the LMC to continue to improve on the good works they have started, they should improve more in the organisation of the league so as not to repeat what happen this season, players welfare, refree department and other things they think they can improve and better the league with. Thank you
After typing this whole lot, I think I need ice cream.. Phew, I'm glad I took my time. I had other interviews but adding three more would just turn this thing into a project.
Thanks for reading. I hope you learnt one thing or the other here. Bye for now guys.. I'm off to take ice cream.. see you on Friday or before Friday.. plenty of love hun.. Please read and comment. Don't forget to subscribe ooo
It was a long talk as I spoke with top notch sports journos and a player.. Let's get to it already
GODWIN ENAKHENA
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
GE: The league wasn’t postponed because of the World Cup. This decision was taken before the season started and it is the traditional mid season break agreed to by all involved in the league, League Management Company and Club Owners. If the Giwa and Pinnick didn’t happen, the league would’ve ended as planned.
Yes, the postponement was necessary and okay.
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
GE: Like I said before, but for the Giwa/NFF issue which is still lingering, the league would’ve ended smoothly. Don’t forget that one of many decisions taken by Giwa after a court order implemented by the Minister of Sports, was to sack the LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko and his COO, Salihu Abubakar and replaced them with a caretaker to run the league. This caused a lot of confusion and the club owners were helplesss not knowing who to take instructions from.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
GE: The LMC is an independent body but under the apron of the NFF that was in turmoil with different leaders at some point and the Minister of Sports dancing to what looks on the surface like premeditated tunes played by the courts in Abuja and Jos.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
GE: In my opinion as someone who wears the shoes, ending the league now is the best option. You can’t play 14 NPFL games, loads of FA Cup games and Enyimba FC games that will be rescheduled due to their involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup under three weeks with our chaotic transportation system, bad roads, security challenges and distance. The players are human beings and not horses. Even horses get tired at some point.
Lobi Stars FC Of Makurdi have been the most consistent this season and we’re not topping the table by mistake. Go and check the records.
In my opinion, they deserve to represent Nigeria on the continent.
Relegating other clubs would be great injustice. Injustice would’ve been if there was not going to be promotion of teams from the lower division. Thank God teams will be promoted.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
GE: Our league isn’t and won’t suffer. We found ourselves in a quagmire that needed quick-fix solution and the LMC and Club Owners dealt with it the best way.
Would we have been able to finish the league without it having negative effects on the health of our players? No way. How about the desperation to win at all cost by some clubs? It would’ve recorded an all time high. Referees would’ve been maimed and hooliganism would’ve been the other of the day.
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as if did in 2017/2018 season?
GE: Elections are for a few days, not forever. The league is for months and Governors who are seeking reelections would look for funds for their clubs to be in the good books of the electorates.
EMEKA NWANI
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
EN: Yes it is necessary because we can't resume the league under the very tense atmosphere of the Amaju Giwa battle
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
EN: Yes the resumption was really affected by the Amaju/ Giwa crisis
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
EN: LMC is independent to the extent that the NFF gave them powers to be. NFF created LMC and there is no way they can be more independent than not operating outside NFF which is only body allowed to control and regulate football in Nigeria.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
EN: Other clubs cannot be relegated because the season did not really end. So the best option is to allow Lobi Stars represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League
You will notice in the LMC press release that they did not say Lobi Stars are champions. They just said they will represent Nigeria in the Champions league
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
EN: There is no time to meet up with the new CAF calendar and Nigeria don't want to lag behind. The date for the submission of every country's representative is October 15th.
The league may not be able to finish before that date and the decisions taken is the best for now
NPFL will not face any bad fate because the managers of the teams will try as much as possible to get all the money they need for next season
ANDREW RANDA
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
AR: Firstly I have no issues with the league going on break, it's not the first time its happened. Again it's a World Cup year so probably the LMC and the NFF felt majority of the guys running the NPFL would be in Russia for the World Cup or anything related to that so they decided to go on a break. This has happened before like earlier said even the duration wasn't long it was just like 3 weeks to 1 month it's something that was really needed. Some of the players actually told me they were very happy about the break and they were glad they could rest, chill and do some stuff. Other leagues were also on break not all the Leagues but it wasn't really a bad idea.
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
AR: Absolutely, the issue here is if the league had gone on break and the resumed on time and the league would have been concluded on time. The Giwa and Pinnick issue was a major reason why the league didn't resume on time because most of the actors that are part of the league and NFF are also the same people that are running the league. This crisis took a political side. For example would you rather say the league would continue and the commissioner of sports says no you mustn't continue or no you mustn't join this group. The Nigerian football is basically the government even the LMC is tied to the NFF and the NFF is tied to the government. The State Governors and the Commissioner of Sports are the ones to make decisions in their states so they are kind of entangled to the government. Don't forget there was a time the NRA said they can't work with some set of people because some people were told not to go to the office, these set of people have been suspended. At a point Giwa went into the glass house and said the league has been suspended, how are we supposed to run a league based? Just imagine Lobi Stars on their way to Maiduguri to play Elkanemi and they are told to stop because the do not recognise this referee. It was really a mess and no matter how much you try to put it there are so many things involved. You have to understand that the crisis was reason why the league stopped.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
AR: Don't forget the LMC yes is independent but they do not appoint referees, match accessors and match commissioners but the NFF does that. That's a huge difference and that is something people are not paying attention. The LMC is just to repair the league, make sure that the league goes well. They don't take care of the referees and they do not appoint referees. Referees come directly from the NFF and if the NFF is on crisis what do you think would happen? it's just a two way thing. Independence doesn't mean you cannot speak with anybody or cannot be under someone else's supervision. Whatever the LMC does has to be ratified by the NFF, it has nothing to do with the league in that sense, LMC itself is a management company, they are independent and the NFF does not bother them on how to manage the league. The NFF only supports and collaborate with the LMC to make the league functional so we need to get that correct.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
AR: Lobi Stars were not declared winners they were only declared as the team to represent Nigeria at the continent so technically you can't say they are champions. Based on that and the fact that the league was not completed the teams cannot be relegated. What happened in my understanding is that the league had to be stopped on Match Day 24 as Lobi Stars by virtue of sitting at the top of the table was nominated as the team to represent Nigeria but there's no statement that states they are the champions so technically I don't know how that works out so basically they are the winners there's no second place, no third place or relegation. Based on the format that was sent for the 2018/2019 season I don't think any team should be relegated because there are no champions technically.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
AR: The whole essence of getting the league champions for the representatives of a country is one of the reasons why we play this league. So apart from being champions there is also a added bonus of being the team that represents Nigeria on the continent so if that's supposed to be taken into cognisance and given a bit of a reference I wouldn't use that language in the sense that the league would suffer. We brought this upon ourselves and remember one team has been deducted from Nigeria's reps. We have one rep and for us to get the numerics back and compete with two teams in both CAF champions league and CAF confederations cup we needed to get a team to the tournament. Luckily Enyimba has qualified for the quarterfinal, so it's looking good for Nigeria. The 2018 season has already suffered a lot of crisis I don't think this literally translates "to must the league suffer"? I'm pretty sure it's a one off and it won't happen again.
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as if did in 2017/2018 season?
AR: Considering the election in 2019, it's being happening over the years and I don't really understand what people are saying as regards the election in 2019. This is not the first time election would happen in Nigeria, leagues have been done and concluded so I don't understand how this is much of a big deal. Again the league might be suspended for a week or two prior to the elections but the bottom line is going to finish in May start by November, so there will be a lot of home and away fixtures in a week so we might get to see two games in a week more or less. November to May is basically like six months which is enough to play a 38 match league so I think people are just too obnoxious to say the elections will affect the NPFL.
TOBI ADEPOJU
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
MO: Do you think the resumption of the NPFL was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
TB: We have to understand the fact that Federation across the world regulate the Referees and Match Commissioner Committees. There are 8 the elements working with the LMC every matchday. The LMC are organizing the league on behalf of the clubs and the parent body, the NFF. Independency means, we have librated from the previous years where Clubs organized their own election and elected Chairman of the league among themselves. The NFF few years ago, decided to set up a company to run the league.
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
TB:The rules are clear, you've to play the other 19 clubs home and away before emerging as champions. Reason why LMC's press release was clear, the clubs agreed that Lobi Stars should represent them, we don't have a winner this season because the season wasn't concluded. The same rules also affected the relegation status, you can't relegate a team that didn't finish the games. How do we judge the relegated teams? Even with two games, any team can still survive relegation.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
TB: I disagree with the clubs decision to abrupt the league but there are several complains, financial problem from both LMC and the Clubs was the main reason the league was concluded at matchday 24. Maybe, they consider the vacuum in next season CAF tournaments, but my opinion won't change, it was a wrong decision.
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as if did in 2017/2018 season?
TB: We have had league season during the election. Obviously, clubs would struggle in terms money, reason why we have clamour for a business policy for our clubs. If our clubs are able to generate 60% of their annual budget from match day tickets, sponsorships, merchandising and more, they won't need to wait for government subvention. We might face similar problem next season, this same problem has been there since we have more government clubs.
CHINA ACHERU
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
CA: It wasn't. If we wanted the league to continue in spite of the crises, it would have. Those who decided to suspend the league know why. I've not yet been convinced it was the right thing to do. But here we are.
MO: Do you think the resumption of the npfl was really affected by the Giwa and Pinnick crisis?
CA: It was. Because the Pinnick/ Giwa crises was cited as the reason. I'm just not convinced it was enough reason to suspend the league.
MO: If LMC is truly an independent body, how does the NFF crisis affect the league?
CA: Search me. I thought that was the idea behind them bring independent. To shield the league from incidents like this. But you'll have to look at other groups like the referees, referee appointment committee, etc who are not answerable to the LMC
MO: After settling with the "best option", should Lobi Stars have been declared winners? If yes, why are other clubs not relegated?
CA: No statement declares Lobo stars as league winners actually. Just Nigeria's representative in the CAF champions league. Funny, right. How no club was relegated, I do not know. It simply doesn't make sense.
MO: Should our league suffer because of one CAF ticket?
CA: People think yes. The clubs own the league and they voted accordingly. That's what they wanted
MO: Considering election in 2019 won't the NPFL face almost same fate as it did in 2017/2018 season?
CA: It will. There will be a 2 week break for Christmas and a 2 month break for elections. #ThisIsNigeria
ZIKIYE JONATHAN
MO: In your opinion, was the postponement of the NPFL really necessary?
JO: Well I have to say here that the league was never postponed in the first place, it was a mid season break. it has been schedule from the beginning that the league would go on break during the world cup. So it was necessary for the players to rest a little and come back strong for the remaining games, but unfortunately that was the end.
MO: How do you feel about the decision of making Lobi Stars represent Nigeria at CAF
JO: As for the decision making Lobi Stars champions of 2018 season and representatives of the country in next year's CAF champions league it was a hard decision to take by the LMC but was unanimously agreed by club chairmen. I think a lot would have been put into consideration couple with the fact that the timing is short, we can't meet up CAF deadline, players health, welfare and the stress involved hence they needed to end the league abruptly. Lobi Stars have been on top of their game since the start of the season though the title is still open for the first six teams buh it was a good decision to crown them champions.
MO: How would you grade the NPFL? What improvement would you want to see?
JO: I can't grade the NPFL for now. if not for this abrupt end of the league this season the NPFL has improved so much in terms of organisation especially since LMC took over in 2013, referee factor has improved tremendously, there has been a level playing field for teams playing home and away games as many away wins were recorded, fine imposed on fans for violence also teams and players for breach of rules, it wasn't so in the past. Since there is always room for improvement I believe we will still improve more.
MO: As a player of MFM, how would you rate the clubs performance this season?
JO: Well as a player of MFM, I would say our performers this season was below, compare to the feat we archived last season as we were runners up of the league last season but it does happen in football, ups and downs but even at that we didn't do too badly this season.
MO: What are your expectations for the NPFL 2018/2019 season?
JO: Like I said before there always room for improvement, I expect the LMC to continue to improve on the good works they have started, they should improve more in the organisation of the league so as not to repeat what happen this season, players welfare, refree department and other things they think they can improve and better the league with. Thank you
After typing this whole lot, I think I need ice cream.. Phew, I'm glad I took my time. I had other interviews but adding three more would just turn this thing into a project.
Thanks for reading. I hope you learnt one thing or the other here. Bye for now guys.. I'm off to take ice cream.. see you on Friday or before Friday.. plenty of love hun.. Please read and comment. Don't forget to subscribe ooo
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