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.
World football governing body FIFA is facing growing scrutiny after authorities in the United States opened an investigation into allegations of ticket pricing exploitation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The probe, announced by officials in New York and New Jersey, will examine whether FIFA engaged in unfair pricing strategies, including alleged “impossibly high” ticket costs, misleading seat allocations, and dynamic pricing models that push prices higher as demand increases.
According to prosecutors, the investigation aims to determine whether fans were unfairly treated during the ticket sales process or misled about what they were purchasing.
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New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport described the ticketing system as confusing and exploitative, saying it has turned access to World Cup matches into what she called a “gauntlet of confusion and fake scarcity.”
Her New York counterpart, Letitia James, also expressed concern over rising ticket prices and accessibility, stressing that football supporters deserve transparency and fairness in the sales process.
The controversy has intensified ahead of the tournament kickoff on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the final scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Beyond ticket prices, fans have also raised concerns about additional match-day costs, including expensive transportation and parking fees, further increasing the financial burden of attending games.
The investigation adds to mounting pressure on FIFA as global criticism grows over the commercialisation of major football tournaments and the affordability of attending matches for ordinary supporters.
Authorities in other US states have also reportedly raised concerns, suggesting the issue could be more widespread across the tournament’s hosting arrangements.
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, have joined millions of football fans across Nigeria and the diaspora in congratulating Rangers International FC of Enugu for emerging champions of the 2025/2026 NPFL season.
In a statement issued on Monday, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, praised the Flying Antelopes for securing their ninth league title, describing the achievement as a reflection of resilience, consistency, and the club’s rich football heritage.
He also commended the NPFL Board led by Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye for its sustained efforts in repositioning Nigerian football through the creation of a more competitive and commercially attractive league structure capable of restoring fans’ confidence and attracting wider national and international interest.
“The just concluded NPFL season will go down in history as one of the most competitive and exciting campaigns ever witnessed in Nigerian football, with the title race extending to the final day before a winner eventually emerged.
“For GTI, this is a landmark victory for Rangers International and a proud moment for Nigerian football. Winning the league title for the ninth time and equalling the record held by Enyimba FC is not only a testament to the club’s quality and tradition, but also a clear indication of the growing competitiveness of our elite league.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all 20 clubs that participated in the just concluded season, including those that secured continental tickets and those unfortunately relegated. Next season presents another opportunity for every team to improve and compete more strongly.
“GTI will continue to partner with the NPFL as Nigerian football steadily progresses toward greater continental and global relevance, judging by the quality and excitement witnessed throughout the 2025/2026 season,” Ekejiuba stated.
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Following the conclusion of Matchday 38 fixtures, Rangers International finished top of the table with 68 points after securing a 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City FC in Lagos. Rivers United FC finished second with 67 points despite defeating Katsina United FC 3-0, as Rangers only needed a win to guarantee the title.
Ikorodu City’s defeat ensured that Shooting Stars retained third position with 60 points despite their loss to Niger Tornadoes FC.
Statistics from the season showed that a total of 772 goals were scored, with 287 wins recorded, including 45 away victories and 93 matches drawn. Godwin Obaje of Rangers International emerged as the league’s top scorer with 14 goals.
Meanwhile, former champions Remo Stars FC and El-Kanemi Warriors joined Bayelsa United FC and Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi as the four clubs relegated at the end of the season.
PHOTO CAPTION: Rangers International Football Club of Enugu players celebrating after emerging champions of the NPFL 2025/2026 season in Lagos at the weekend.
The race to become Europe’s most prolific striker since 2020 has turned into one of the fiercest individual battles in modern football, with elite forwards pushing each other to record-breaking levels across the top five European leagues.
While the previous decade was dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a new generation of attacking stars has taken over, reshaping the goal-scoring landscape in world football.
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According to compiled statistics from performances since the start of the 2020 decade, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane currently sits at the top of the chart with 175 goals, narrowly ahead of his closest rivals.
Hot on his heels are three of football’s biggest names tied on 174 goals each — Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland, France superstar Kylian Mbappé, and former Bayern Munich forward now at Barcelona Robert Lewandowski.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah follows behind with 128 goals, maintaining his reputation as one of the most consistent scorers in Europe.
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez has also impressed with 118 goals, leading the line for the Italian giants across multiple strong seasons.
Further down the list, Canadian striker Jonathan David (93 goals) and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (91 goals) have established themselves as reliable Premier League and Ligue 1 finishers respectively.
Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović and Osasuna forward Ante Budimir are level on 89 goals each, highlighting their consistency in Italy and Spain.
Completing the top scorers’ list is Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy with 101 goals, reflecting his rise as one of Europe’s most efficient attackers in recent seasons.
See the list below:
1. Harry Kane – 175 goals
2. Erling Haaland – 174 goals
3. Kylian Mbappé – 174 goals
4. Robert Lewandowski – 174 goals
5. Mohamed Salah – 128 goals
6. Lautaro Martínez – 118 goals
7. Serhou Guirassy – 101 goals
8. Jonathan David – 93 goals
9. Ollie Watkins – 91 goals
10. Dušan Vlahović – 89 goals
The figures underline just how competitive modern football has become, with only a few goals separating some of the biggest names in the sport and every season capable of changing the rankings dramatically.
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