The Nigeria Professional Football League has moved up 20 places and ranked the 57th best league in the 2019 rankings for national leagues across the world, The Punch report.
The NPFL was ranked 77th in the 2018 ranking.
They are ranked eighth in Africa behind Tunisia (15), Morocco (17), Egypt (30), Congo DR (35), Angola (48), South Africa (50), Zambia (55).
In the year under review, Nigeria’s only representatives, Enugu Rangers, failed to make it beyond the group stage of the 2018/19 the Confederations Cup.
Lobi Stars also crashed out in the group stage of the season’s Champions League.
Top of the list are the English Premier League, who are ahead of the Brazilian league, La Liga, Serie A and the Colombian league, who make up the top five leagues.
Meanwhile Chairman of the League Management Committee, Shehu Dikko, is elated by the progress of the NPFL.
“It shows we are moving forward, jumping 20 places in one year, it was a challenging year. If we continue on this trajectory, we will get where we want to be – to be among the top,” Dikko told The PUNCH.
“It just indicates that people are watching and we will review what is going on and make improvements. At least, to jump 20 places in one year is quite a leap, so, we are glad we are making some progress despite the challenges, but we can do more. Our ambition is to be at the top.”
