Sports
GTI’s Strategic Impact On NPFL
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has long been a cornerstone of the country’s sports culture that produced great players that took the global soccer ecosystem by storm.
However, shortly after the 2021/2022 NPFL season, things began to fall apart as the fortunes of the elite league began to nosedive and was near a state of comatose.
Plagued by numerous challenges that hindered its growth and development, it was evident that the business aspect of the management of the elite league was grossly overlooked and this necessitated the intervention of GTI Asset Management & Trust Ltd for a rescue mission.
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As a kicker, aside from the aforementioned, the NPFL suffered a trust deficit from would-be sponsors that severely impacted its operations. There was a total lack of confidence among stakeholders, including fans, sponsors, and even the players themselves. This led to a significant decline in sponsorships, as companies were hesitant to associate their brands with a league that was perceived as poorly managed.
One of the most glaring issues was the mismanagement of the league’s assets. Elite league football clubs which should have been thriving, were instead struggling due to depreciating assets and a lack of proper funding. Match officials were often left without adequate remuneration, leading to discontent and a lack of motivation. This, in turn, affected the quality of the matches and the overall competitiveness of the league.
The NPFL also suffered from a lack of visibility. Despite the passion for football in Nigeria, the league failed to capture the attention of the public. There were no broadcast partners to the NPFL, and the few broadcasts from local broadcast stations often lacked the quality expected by viewers. The disjointed management of teams, coaches, and the league itself further exacerbated these issues, leading to disharmony and a lack of cohesion.
Amidst this challenging scenario, GTI Asset Management & Trust Ltd took a bold step towards revitalizing the NPFL.
On March 22, 2022, GTI officially unveiled The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF), a mutual fund designed to serve as a financial backbone for the league. This strategic move marked the beginning of a new era for the NPFL, where financial stability and sustainable growth became achievable goals.
The TNFF was not just a financial tool; it was a statement of intent from GTI. By creating a dedicated fund for football, GTI demonstrated its commitment to energizing the league and providing a platform for football lovers to invest in the future of Nigerian football. This initiative was instrumental in restoring trust within the football ecosystem, as it provided a transparent and accountable framework for managing the league’s finances.
GTI’s involvement in the NPFL has gone beyond financial contributions. The firm has played a pivotal role in harmonizing the football ecosystem and making it more attractive to sponsors. By addressing the trust deficit and ensuring proper management of the league’s assets, GTI has laid the groundwork for increased sponsorship opportunities.
One of the most significant developments under GTI’s stewardship has been the enhancement of the NPFL’s brand visibility. The partnership with Propel Sports Africa has enabled easy live streaming of NPFL matches on the OTT platform, making it more accessible to football fans both within and outside Nigeria.
Additionally, the NPFL partnership with StarTimes has ensured that live television broadcasts of NPFL matches are now a regular feature, further boosting the league’s profile on DTT and DTH platforms.
Finally, GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited’s strategic intervention in the NPFL has been nothing short of transformative. By addressing the deep-seated issues that plagued the league, GTI has not only restored trust in the football ecosystem but has also created a sustainable platform for growth.
The unveiling of The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) marked the beginning of a new chapter for the NPFL, one where financial stability, sponsorship, and visibility are no longer distant dreams but achievable realities.
As GTI continues its journey with the NPFL, the future of Nigerian football looks brighter than ever. With a solid foundation in place, the elite league is poised to reclaim its rightful place as a profitable and viable asset, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.
Iconic Portuguese striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has hit a billion followers on his social media accounts.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Thursday night to make the revelation.
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He expressed gratitude to his followers and assured that “The best is yet to come”.
He also expressed optimism andhunger for more wins in his illustrious career.
Ronaldo wrote, “We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number – it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.
“From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1 billion of us stand together.
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey, and together, we’ve shown that there are no limits to what we can achieve.
“Thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life. The best is yet to come, and we’ll keep pushing, winning, and making history together.”
Augustine Eguavoen, the interim coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has announced his resignation from the position.
Eguavoen made the announcement after the team’s 0-0 draw against Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday.
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The Nigerian tactician revealed that his mandate was to oversee the team’s matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda, and with that accomplished, his task has ended.
However, Eguavoen has offered to provide tactical advice to the next coach on how to overcome Libya, the team’s next opponent.
The Super Eagles’ performance under Eguavoen has been mixed, with a convincing 3-0 win against Benin Republic followed by a disappointing draw against Rwanda.
Eguavoen made a single change to the starting lineup for the Rwanda match, with Fisayo Dele-Basiru replacing Alex Iwobi.
He said, “I have been given a mandate to handle two games. I will want to say I am very pleased with the boys and again, thanks to the NFF leadership and all the boys who supported me in terms of discipline and working hard.
“It ends today, which is the two games mandate. I can’t talk about Libya, because I haven’t been told but I can talk about it a little bit in case we have another coach, we can talk about it.
“I want to be closer to the team as it should be and I can give inside story and inside information that we need to be able to overcome Libya. No team is a pushover anymore but with this spirit that these boys have exhibited and from what I have seen, we have a very bright future”
Recall that Eguavoen’s appointment asl interim coach was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on August 30, 2024, after the federation’s inability to secure the services of German coach Bruno Labbadia due to stringent German tax laws.
Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels have secured promotion to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following their victories in the NWFL Championship playoff matches held on Sunday at UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State.
The Benue State-based Honey Badgers made history with a 1-0 win over Pelican Stars, which earned them their first-ever promotion to the country’s top-flight.
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A second-half goal from Hellen Daniel proved to be the difference for Honey Badgers, who displayed resilience and composure throughout the match. Both teams started brightly, with the Badgers missing an early chance to take the lead. Moments later, their goalkeeper Stella Okereke made a crucial save to deny Pelican Stars an opening goal.
The hosts pressed hard in search of the opener, but Honey Badgers’ defense held firm. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Daniel converted a chance to give the visitors the lead. Despite relentless support from the home crowd, Pelican Stars couldn’t find an equalizer as the Badgers held on for the win.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Honey Badgers, who would now be preparing to make their debut in the NWFL Premiership.
The team will join Ibom Angels, who also earned promotion earlier in the day with a 2-0 win over Osun Babes in another playoff match.
The Ibom Angels dominated their match against Osun Babes, scoring through Abasiofon Uwah and Ijeoma Onweagba. Uwah gave the Uyo-based side an early lead in the 10th minute, while Onuma doubled the advantage in the 61st minute with a long-range effort. Osun Babes earned a penalty late in the game, but Kafayat Bashiru missed the spot-kick.
The victory sees Ibom Angels return to the NWFL Premiership just a season after their relegation in 2021.
This marks the second consecutive season in which Ibom Angels have secured immediate promotion back to the topflight, showcasing their resilience and strong team spirit.
Meanwhile, Chosen Generation Angels and Heroes Queens retained their NWFL Championship status after winning their respective relegation playoff matches.
Chosen Generation Angels narrowly edged Kaduna Queens 1-0, with Kafayat Anifowoshe scoring the only goal in the 35th minute. Kaduna Queens were relegated to the third tier despite a strong second-half showing.
Heroes Queens defeated DreamStar FC Ladies 1-0 in the Lagos derby to maintain their place in the NWFL Championship. Ebube Umejiaku scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute, condemning Dreamstar to relegation.
The loss marked the end of Dreamstar Ladies’ three-year stint in the second tier after their relegation from the Premiership in 2021.
With the conclusion of the NWFL playoffs, Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels are set to compete in the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership season, while Chosen Generation Angels and Heroes Queens will continue in the NWFL Championship. Kaduna Queens and DreamStar FC Ladies will face the challenge of rebuilding in the third tier.
Chairman, NWFL, Nkechi Obi congratulated Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels on their promotion to the elite league, noting, “Their hard work and determination have paid off.” She also commiserated with Osun Babes and Pelican Stars, acknowledging their efforts throughout the season.
Obi further expressed her gratitude to the Cross River State government for successfully hosting the 2024 NWFL Championship, emphasizing, “This event plays a vital role in promoting women’s football in Nigeria.”
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