The NPFL celebrated its 30th anniversary yesterday after the word ‘professional’ was first added to the league’s name in 1990.
Since then, the league had carried several names but the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL stuck in 2012 when the League Management Company, LMC introduced by the NFF did a rebrand.
The LMC has since been the handler of the league but before 2012, the Nigerian league had been on the running.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the professional league, here are some interesting fact about the NPFL in the past 30 years.
Dominant factor
Enyimba FC of Aba is the club to win the NPFL most times, 8 with the first being in 2001. The people’s elephant are currently the defending Champions of the league after winning it last season.
3 times in a row
Kano Pillars are the biggest club side in terms of NPFL title from the North. Winning it 3 times on the bounce (2012-2014) shows they are force in the NPFL. They have a total of 4 league titles.
Better late than never
Despite winning the league three times before 1990, Enugu Rangers had to wait for 32 years to win an NPFL title in 2016 while Plateau United for the first time in their history won it in 2017.
2012 was the year.
Apart from having a special body to handle the Ieague, lots of positives happened. The league was ranked 24th in the world above the Scottish league and was ranked number 1 in Africa all in 2012.
Clubs rebranded
We had a few clubs rebranded as well in the last 30 years.
Iwuanyanwu Nationale was renamed to Heartland FC of Owerri on the 7th February, 2006.
Dolphins and Sharks were collapsed to Rivers United in 2016.
Relegated in 2008, Prime FC was renamed to Osun United in 2017.
Known as JIB Strikers, it was renamed to Plateau United in 1991.
The NPFL is currently rated 8th in Africa and 57th in the world.
