Relegated NPFL clubs pursue slot purchase to return to top flight
Photo of NPFL match ball. Photo Credit- Pulse Sports
Two government-owned Nigerian Premier Football League- NPFL clubs, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Heartland of Owerri, are reportedly exploring a controversial strategy to purchase promotion slots from teams in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 tournament, aiming for an immediate return to the elite division. The development, has sparked debates over fairness and integrity in Nigerian football as the 2024-2025 season concludes.
Lobi Stars and Heartland were among the four teams relegated from the NPFL after the season ended, alongside Akwa United and Sunshine Stars, with Heartland finishing 17th despite a victory over Akwa United, which placed 18th. The relegated clubs are now “doing everything possible” to secure their return, according to an anonymous official cited in the report. This move involves negotiating with NNL teams that qualify for the Super 8 playoff, a practice that has raised eyebrows due to its questionable legality and ethical implications.
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The strategy highlights the intense pressure on state-backed clubs to maintain top-flight status, with the official noting, “The Governor is determined to address all the internal issues that derailed our progress last season.” Heartland, which also faced relegation in the 2023-2024 season, sees this as a critical step to avoid prolonged absence from the NPFL. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) have yet to comment officially, leaving the proposal’s feasibility unknown.
Football stakeholders have expressed concern, with some arguing that slot purchases undermine the competitive integrity of the league. The NPFL, which began its professional era in 1990 and was rebranded in 2014, has faced similar controversies in the past, including the 2020 decision to cancel relegations due to COVID-19. As the 2025/26 season approaches, scheduled to start on August 22 with Remo Stars defending their title, the football community awaits clarity on this contentious issue.
