Nigerian football legends Daniel Amokachi and Victor Ikpeba have made a strong case for increased private investment in the domestic league, describing it as the only viable path to long-term growth. Both icons shared these views during the high-profile draw ceremony for the NNL Super Four Tournament, held this past Friday at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja.
A significant highlight of the event was the celebration of the four teams that recently secured promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Amokachi and Ikpeba expressed their excitement over the fact that all four promoted sides—Doma United, Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, and Ranchers Bees—are privately owned and funded. According to them, this shift away from government dependence is exactly what the local game needs to thrive.
Daniel Amokachi, famously known as “The Bull,” was particularly vocal about the need to treat football as a serious commercial venture. Reflecting on the return of his former side, Ranchers Bees, to the top flight after nearly 18 years, he emphasized that the industry must move toward a business-centric model. Speaking with his signature passion, he noted that seeing four private clubs move up this year is a sign of progress, predicting that private ownership will continue to dominate the promotion slots in the coming seasons. He also praised the George Aluo-led NNL management for overseeing a highly competitive 2025/2026 season.
Adding his voice to the conversation, Victor Ikpeba, the “Prince of Monaco,” reminded stakeholders that the NNL is the bedrock of Nigerian club football. Recalling his own early days in the Lagos State Football Association League, the 1997 African Footballer of the Year insisted that the focus must remain on the domestic front. He argued that while the Super Eagles often take the spotlight, getting the local league right is the only way to consistently produce future stars for the national team.
The event also drew praise from top sports administrators. Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), described the draw ceremony as a “world-class” production. He commended the NNL board and Toptier Sports Management for their transformative work in elevating the league’s profile. Olopade, who was joined at the event by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and Remo Stars Chairman Kunle Soname, assured the board of the NSC’s continued support.
The NNL Super Four is scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 8, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. The four promoted teams will battle it out for the overall NNL championship title and a prize of ₦10 million, marking a grand conclusion to a season that many believe has set a new standard for the second tier of Nigerian football.
