Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa has called for urgent reforms in Nigerian football, citing the disparity between African clubs competing at the FIFA Club World Cup and the current state of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). In a statement posted on his social media pages on Saturday night, the Kano Pillars forward said he closely followed the Club World Cup, with particular interest in African clubs participating in the tournament.
The 32-year-old described the competition as not only exciting but also a ‘money-spinner’ for clubs across the continent. “It’s a sober reflection if we compare the African clubs at the Club World Cup to our domestic league, the Nigeria Premier Football League,” he said.
The former Leicester City forward raised critical questions about the NPFL’s competitiveness and identified key areas needing urgent attention—including the league’s organisation, club structure, and funding. He stressed the need for new policies and comprehensive reforms to reposition Nigerian football.
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“The NPFL is not lacking in potential. Our football is rich in talent from grassroots to elite levels, but in a modern football system, talent alone isn’t enough,” Musa noted.
“We must collectively decide to make our football work so that our clubs can compete at both continental and global levels.”
The former Al Nassr forward also expressed concern over the state of officiating in Nigeria, contrasting it with other African nations that consistently produce referees for Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA tournaments. Musa called on stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian football meets global standards and wished participating African teams success at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
