Ezema Gabriel, the Head Coach of Inter-Lagos Football Club, has described the Nigeria National League (NNL) and other second-tier leagues around the world as the most difficult to navigate, citing numerous challenges that come with competing at this level.
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During a Friday night Q&A session titled “Super Interview” on the Sports World Platform, hosted by Wale Oyekanmi and Sunday Agunbiade, Coach Gabriel shed light on the trials of coaching in the NNL.
“Second-tier leagues worldwide are notoriously difficult to navigate,” he said. “As a coach in the Nigeria National League, I can attest to the numerous challenges we face. Financial difficulties, diverse player demographics, and varying skill levels are just a few obstacles.”
The former Rangers International FC assistant coach also highlighted the league’s abridged format as a significant hurdle.
“The abridged format makes it even more demanding. Every team fights for a spot, and each match is a battle for survival. The competitiveness is intense, with every team eager to prove themselves worthy of promotion to the Premier League,” Gabriel explained.
He drew parallels to similar challenges in leagues such as England’s Championship, which he also described as “notoriously difficult.”
The Nigeria National League clubs are set to resume their campaigns in January after the yuletide break, with teams gearing up for what promises to be another fiercely contested season.
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