Shaba Al Sahel of Lebanon defender, Andrew Evans Ikefe has revealed that the Nigerian league has the potential to be great again if measures are taken for it to become more attractive to potential sponsors and football fans.
The Kaduna raised Ikefe in an interview on Nigeria Footballers Whatsapp platform noted that security of players and the match officials must improve at various match venues for the desired change to truly kick start.
Ikefe, who previously played for Niger Tornadoes, Kaduna United, Kwara United and Plateau United said when the lives of the match officials, players and fans are secured, it will make it a norm for teams to pick positive results anywhere.
The defender also pointed out that having the games watched live on television or through live streaming means must be sustained to help advertise the Nigerian league beyond the shores of the country and thus drive more sponsorships.
He thumbed up the efforts made by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) to help sanitize the league but he reckoned that more efforts are needed to help checkmate overzealous fans and home teams officials who are only concern about winning at home at all costs.
“To make Nigeria League a better league,
the first thing is to improve in officiating by making refereeing more independent venture,” Ikefe told journalists as picked by dasportstainment247.com.
“Success in officiating will attract more sponsors who will believe that good recruitment of quality players will guarantee them results anywhere both home and away.
“Provision of adequate security and enacting of punitive measures for offending clubs, players or fans is very key. It will equally improve fans turnout on match days .
“Most importantly again, a robust television set up and coverage across all match venues will help in marketing while prospective sponsors flood in to improve structures, players and staff remuneration and the league’s overall standard.”
Ikefe’s Lebanese side, Shabab Al Sahel finished fourth last season with the Nigerian playing 19 games and scoring one goal.
