BIFFO SEEKS IMPROVED NPFL QUALITY, RECALLS ENYIMBA'S AFRICAN DOMINANCE

Ohis Asein in Lagos

Former Kwara United coach Abdullahi Biffo has expressed concern over the standard of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), insisting that the domestic league has remained largely at the same level over the last five seasons.

The soft-spoken tactician believes Nigerian clubs must be willing to recruit the best available players within the country and, where necessary, look beyond Nigeria's borders to attract quality footballers capable of improving the league's competitiveness.

Speaking toFAKSMEDIA.COMat the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Saturday, Biffo stressed that improving the quality of players in the league is essential if Nigerian clubs hope to reclaim their former dominance in African football.

According to the experienced coach, the era when Enyimba International FC dominated Nigerian football and made a significant impact on the continent should serve as a reference point for clubs seeking to restore the country's football reputation.

Biffo, however, noted that achieving such success would require more than ambition, stressing that the financial welfare of Nigerian players must become a priority for club administrators.

He argued that Nigerian clubs must begin to offer competitive salaries and attractive welfare packages comparable to those available in other African leagues.

The former Kwara United coach believes that better remuneration would help Nigerian clubs retain their most talented players, many of whom are tempted to move abroad in search of better financial opportunities, even when offers come from leagues in smaller African countries.

According to him, the continued departure of top Nigerian players for more financially rewarding contracts elsewhere undermines efforts to improve the overall quality of the domestic league.

Biffo maintained that until Nigerian clubs improve their financial packages and become more competitive in the transfer market, it would remain difficult to prevent their best players from seeking greener pastures outside the country.

His observations have once again brought the issue of player welfare, club investment and the competitiveness of the NPFL into focus.

For Nigerian football to regain the continental prominence it enjoyed during Enyimba's successful era, Biffo's position suggests that clubs must invest more in quality players, improve their salary structures and create an environment capable of attracting and retaining top football talent