Lets talk Nigeria Premier League (NPL)........

After a lot of requests, I have decided my next article will be NPL. I was going to write about this subject, but I don't just want to post anything, but facts!
We all know there is a lot to be said about the NPL, but where do we start from?
The problems? I guess so, the NPL has a lot of work to do to develop our Premier League. I'm ready to say it just as it is and please you can still contribute to this.
Can we compare the NPL (Nigeria Premier League) to the EPL (English Premier League)? I hear some people saying; "na yam". Of course not, there is no comparison in terms of management, personnel, branding, marketing, exposure to the world and most especially sponsorship.
But I will tell you this, the comparison will be among the hidden talents we have in the NPL. Yes, I said hidden! We have a lot of talented players in the NPL, if given the opportunity, they will rub shoulders with most players in the EPL. We see many of our professional players in the EPL and other leagues abroad, they were the products of the NPL.
What is the way forward for our own Premier League? How do we move forward? How can we get international exposure and assure our players they can stay in the home league for a while before running off to other leagues abroad? Is there still hope for the NPL?
Of course there is still hope for the NPL, but we have to start from the Personnels, the people in charge. Are they really doing their jobs, and when I say their jobs, I mean what is expected of them. While saying that, are they the right people for the job?
One of the reasons why we face most problems we encounter in this country is because, a lot of people in different positions are not just right for the job! It's like saying a carpenter should attend to a patient who is in a critical state, please tell me if this patient will survive, if not for the help of God. What will the carpenter do in this situation? Does he even know how to diagnose what is wrong with the patient, before thinking of administering medications?
Such is the problem we face in this country of ours?
The NPL wants to be like the EPL, are they going about it in the right way? How do you sell yourself to the world?
I was so shocked when I found out the NPL does not even have a website....Please can someone tell me, what this is all about. How can people get information about the NPL, don't know if I am making any sense here. How do people get news about the different clubs in the NPL, schedules lined up for the season, etc.
How do the NPL think they can attract foreign investors? People don't just want to be associated with a brand, they want something in return, that's why there is something called "Return On Investment" (ROI). Every organisation wants this, the NPL is striving to achieve this, all investors needs this.
Tell me in this 21st Century, why one of the people in the NPL is yet to think: having a website is important, but I tell you this, you will be shocked someone has refused to bring out the money to finance it, because they do not see how it will bring money into their own pockets.
I was reading an interesting article on Kick Off Nigeria website about NPL not allowing Clubs to get their own sponsorship, and I must commend some of the comments on that article.
Why should the NPL impose some brands on its Clubs? It is not done anywhere. NPL should get its own sponsors to sort out what needs to be done in the league, and it is the duty of the Clubs to also get their own sponsors.
NPL is a brand on its own, the Clubs are also different brands, Enyimba is a brand, Kano Pillars is another brand and so on. Just because they all play in the same league, doesn't mean they do not have their own identities.
How can you make Lucozade the official drink for all the Clubs in the NPL, what happens if other energy drinks want to sponsor? Lets say Power Horse wants to be the official energy drink for Tornadoes, will Tornadoes say NO because the NPL imposed Lucozade on them?
Why hasn't the NPL made arrangement with one of the Television Stations we have to show the matches? I heard they finally got Super Sports and NTA, what a relief, but why did they take that long? Anyways, it's a way forward so I'm not going to question that anymore.
NPL has to stop this thing called corruption. I heard most Club chairmen bribe referees before the games. They should investigate this, and anyone found guilty should be punished. NPL should take an example from the Seria A, when some clubs were found guilty, some were relegated and other they took off points from them. Discipline should be enforced.
NPL chairman, you have a lot of work to do.
How many people in the country are interested in the NPL? Some people can't even name 5 Clubs in the NPL, but they will name all the Clubs in the EPL and even names the ones in the Championship.
Ask a lot of people; when Lobi Stars or any other Club is playing their next match and who they are playing with, they will tell you "wetin concern me with that one now", but they know when next Man Utd is playing Arsenal. I don't blame them.
Make the NPL an attractive league, attract sponsors but don't become a beggar, because when you become a beggar, you have to play by their terms, but when you attract them, they play by your own rules.
Having said all these, the Clubs themselves should work out a good marketing strategy, don't wait for all to be done for you by the NPL. Get sponsors, you need to show them a reason or more why they should invest in your Club. The Clubs do need a good PR company or a Marketing outfit. No matter what you do now, you will have to sell your products to the world.
The good thing about the NPL is that; they are trying to develop the league, but there is a lot of work to be done.
The Verdict.....
You asked for this article, now have your say! Remember you can write an article and send it to me and I will publish it on this site with your name on it.
Please, after reading the articles, try and leave a comment, it gives me a reason to want to write about things we all love to talk about. Thank you and see you soon.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW!

GROUP A: Chelsea, Roma, Bordeaux, CFR Cluj

GROUP B: Internazionale, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta

GROUP C: Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk

GROUP D:Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico Madrid

GROUP E: Manchester United, Villarreal, Celtic, Aalborg

GROUP F: Lyon, Bayern Munich, Steaua Bucharest, Fiorentina

GROUP G:Arsenal, Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kiev

GROUP H: Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, Bate Borisov

MATCH DAYS:

September 16/17

September 30/October 1

October 21/22

November 4/5

November 25/26

December 9/10

What's your verdict on this? I was hoping two English sides will be in the same group, but each has a different group!
Football lovers, here comes the Champions League....
Have your say!

The reward for hard work......

When I posted an article about the Dream Team IV (Nigeria U-23), I never knew the reward for their hard work will happen this fast....I mean really quick.
Remember Obinna Nsofor, one of our players in the just completed Olympics, he was captain of the team in few matches and scored a few goals.
Before the Olympics, Nsofor played at Chievo in Italy, and with his help, the Club was promoted to Seria A.
The good news is the striker has just signed a contract with Seria A champion, Inter Milan and he is now on loan to the English Premier League club Everton. He will reunite with other Nigerian players like, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo and his friend Victor Anichebe. Anichebe also did well in the Olympics.
There is something about this site, I tell you! I just work on my instincts to post articles, I decided my first article will be on the Dream Team IV, because they made millions of Nigerians proud. Then I wanted us to talk about the Premiership.
As they say "God has a reason for everything". I believe he does.
A member of the Dream Team IV is now with a Premiership club, wow!
I wish Obinna Nsofor all the best in his career and also a successful season in the Premiership! I'm sure he is so excited, I won't blame him, every player's dream is to play in the best league in the world.
Now The Verdict!
What do you think about Nsofor's move? Has he made the right choice? Is this the beginning of good things to come for the Dream Team IV?
My Verdict....
Nsofor's move is a brilliant one and I can say he made the right choice. This is just the beginning of a great career for the lad.
I feel we will see more of the top Clubs signing few of the players in the Dream Team IV!
What's your Verdict?

Lets talk English Premier League!

If you ask football lovers what football league is the best in the world; majority will say it's the English Premier League (EPL). To tell you the truth, I love the premiership, when the last season was over, I couldn't wait for another season to start, this is how addicted I have become; always looking forward to the next season each time the season comes to an end.
What I enjoy most about watching the EPL is seeing the African stars do what they know how to do best. I feel so proud to be African.
For a while now, the top four hasn't changed, we always know Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will always make the top four. But I really want to see that change this season, I want to see Clubs like Newcastle, Everton, Spurs, compete for that position. Lets watch some drama this season. Guess a lot of Gunners were shocked watching Fulham take the whole 3 points last weekend, I wasn't though, cos I want to see a lot of competition this season. I can say the only surprise I got from last weekend's game was watching Stoke City beat Aston Villa, that's what I'm talking about. For those who don't know, Stoke just got promoted to the Premier League this season. I want to see the newly promoted clubs shock the big ones, but the problem is; later in the season, most of them just fade away.
Guess who is back to the EPL? Djibril Cissé, oh yes he's back! He made his mark by giving his side Sunderland a winner against Spurs, he came in as a substitute in that game! Sunderland is another team to watch out for this season, we have few Africans there, Nigerian Dickson Etuhu and Senegalese El-Hadji Diouf.
After two games in the EPL, Chelsea is back at the top of the table with six points, for how long do you think they will remain there? Maybe till the end of the season. I hear some of the Red Devils screaming, for what? and the Gunners taking out their guns! I'm so excited the Premiership is back, so many things to talk about.
I'm looking forward to seeing an African player be the highest goal scorer in the EPL this season. So far our Yakubu Aiyegbeni has scored two goals in two games, the guy is on fire, I pray he continues like that. Not forgetting his compatriot Obafemi Martins, he scored in the first game. Don't you guys think it is great that some of our players already registered their names in the scoring sheet! Another new comer in the EPL that has made his mark is Portugal midfielder and Chelsea's newly signed Deco, he scored two goals in two games, sure a great way to start.
Guess you all will agree there is a lot to talk about when it comes to EPL. I can't give you all the news in one article, but I will keep you updated.
Lets get down to business, The Verdict....
What do you guys think about the transfer market this season? Who invested wisely and who was foolish to let some good players go? What players would you have wanted some clubs to buy or loan? What player do you think will be the worst or best buy this season? I know the season has just begun, but we do foresee these things, don't we? Who will make the top four this season? Who is going down? What club do you want to see improve?
Give your Verdict! I give you all the chance to give your verdict before mine!
See you later!

Congratulations to the Dream Team IV (Nigeria U-23)

I watched the Olympics, not all the games, but of course Football.
I was supporting Nigeria all the way. So many people have given up on football in Nigeria, some are hanging in there and praying it will get better.
This year's Olympics brought back good memories; Atlanta '96.....yeah, I watched it then and celebrated crazily. No one thought Nigeria will beat Argentina in that final, but our players then, made history.
There is something similiar about this present players and the heroes of Atlanta '96, the desire to succeed, they were highly motivated.
I had my doubts when they played their first game, though it ended in a goal less draw, but so many questions to be asked, and the important one was; do they really want to win? Then after the first two games, we saw a different side, a team that is hungry for success, a highly motivated team, a team that will give all to make Nigerians proud.
The night before the final, I set my alarm for 4:50am. Then here comes the final, sitting alone, I said a short prayer and the match kicked off, after the 1st half, I was relieved and I could say the boys did a good job. Ok we lost the game, but the Argentines didn't have it easy either, we had a lot of chances, but we were unlucky.
The boys got Silver, but to me and millions of Nigerians, they are worth more than Gold.
Now The Verdict.....
What next for the Dream Team IV?
Do you think they should represent Nigeria in the World Cup 2010?
What can be done to ensure this team stays together?
My Verdict.....
I'm glad after a long time in Nigeria, we finally have a team. The NFF (Nigeria Football Federation), should ensure they keep this team together; they should play a couple of friendly matches from time to time.
Some of the players should be called to the Super Eagles, they really deserve a shirt there.
If the NFF manages this team well, we have a first class team that can represent Nigeria in any tournament.
That's my verdict, what is yours?

Welcome to The Verdict!

Finally, I'm blogging! I visit so many blogging sites, I read so many interesting articles and comments! I must commend every blogger; it's such a big step to make up my mind to start doing this!
Ok, what's this site all about? Football, Americans call it Soccer... I will be blogging about players, managers, tournaments, problems, solutions and some hot gossips relating to football (soccer).
I want you all to know, you can post articles relating to some football matters, give opinions, criticise (pls no insults) and encourage me. I can not do it without you all, so lets do this together. I promise you all a wonderful experience as I give my VERDICT on all things football.
There is only one language that brings the world together, and that language is FOOTBALL!
Lets give The Verdict!!!
Lots of Love,
The Verdict!