Sports

NPFL Moves Up in Strongest League Rating

Published

3 years ago

January 26, 2024

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) increased the ranking of men’s football leagues in Africa by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

IFFHS is an organisation that chronicles the history and records of association football founded in 1974 by Alfredo Poge in Leipzig.

It rates the competitive edge of leagues and for the current rating, the Italian Serie A is the strongest global League while Egypt tops in Africa and is rated 20 globally.

Nigeria, which was rated 77 globally in 2022 after the inception of the Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) moved two steps up in 2023 to rate as Africa’s 7th best and four steps to 73 globally.

Reacting to the latest rating, Elegbeleye who is back in Nigeria from the on-going 34th AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire described it as “very encouraging and a call for us to continue improving at what we have been able to achieve in repositioning the League”.

In the latest ranking in Africa, the Morocco Botola League ranks next to Egypt and is trailed by Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, and Tanzania. Behind Nigeria are Angola, Zambia, and Cote D’Ivoire, the only other West African league in the top 10.

The Top 5 Strongest Leagues in the world are Italy, the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Brazil’s Serie A, and the German Bundesliga.

Share on Facebook

Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

1 hour ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

Share on Facebook