The Nigerian National League (NNL) has continued to receive accolades from followers of the country’s game, who rate the second tier football league as the most important competition in club football ecosystem.

One of the reasons for these accolades is the various changes effected by the management of the league, such that NNL clubs now compete favourably against Nigerian Premier Football League (NFF) sides in the President Federation Cup.

Elated by the strides the championship have made in less than four years of coming on stream, NNL Chairman, George Aluo, said it can only get better.

Reflecting with joy on the many positive changes that have happened to the second tier of Nigeria’s domestic football in the past few years, Aluo, who is also an executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said: “This is not about blowing one’s own trumpet, but I am happy that we are making enormous progress.

“Let me start from the draw ceremony that is taking place on Friday; this is the first time we are having an elaborate ceremony for the draw of our season-ending tournament. It never happened even while it was Super Eight.

“I want to thank our sponsors, Toptier Sports Management, for the support they have been giving us, and I am also assuring them that the NNL will continue to give them positive and far-reaching mileage.”

Aluo is also exultant about the stark prospect of private-owned clubs dominating the top tier of Nigeria’s domestic football in the coming year, as all promoted clubs from the NNL this year are privately-owned: Doma United, Sporting Lagos, Rancher Bees and Inter Lagos.

The four clubs will be involved in the potentially-explosive Super Four Tournament, scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, from May 1 to 8.

The draw promises to be colourful, with the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade and the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, among those expected to attend.