NPFL Teams Break the Jinx But at What Cost?

In the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) away victories are usually scarce commodities as home teams often win by all means. Therefore, cases of assault on visiting teams and match officials are recurring decimals in the Nigerian league. However, this behavior, which is against the spirit of sportsmanship and has continued to give the NPFL a negative image, seems to be gradually fading away as more teams now secure victories on the road.

The latest away victories in the NPFL have been met with mixed reactions. On one hand, fans are excited to see their teams winning on the road, which is an indication that the league is gradually maturing. On the other hand, other stakeholders are worried that the victories might be short-lived if the underlying issues that hindered away victories in the first place are not addressed.

One of the major challenges that visiting teams face in the NPFL is the hostile behavior of home fans. In some cases, the hostility can be so intense that it affects the performance of the visiting team, thereby giving the home team an undue advantage. However, with the latest away victories, there are indications that the tide is turning and visiting teams are now more confident to compete on the road.

Another challenge that visiting teams face is the poor state of infrastructure in some of the stadiums in the NPFL. In some cases, the playing surfaces are so poor that they pose a risk to the safety of the players. However, there are indications that some of the stadiums are being upgraded, which could make it easier for visiting teams to secure victories on the road.

Despite the mixed reactions that have trailed the latest away victories in the NPFL, there is no denying the fact that the victories are a welcome development for the league. For years, the NPFL has been plagued by cases of violence and intimidation, which have given the league a negative image. However, with the latest away victories, there is a glimmer of hope that the league is gradually turning the corner.

In order to sustain the momentum, the NPFL authorities must address the underlying issues that have hindered away victories in the past. This includes improving the security arrangements in the stadiums, upgrading the infrastructure, and ensuring that match officials are impartial. If these issues are addressed, it is possible that the NPFL will witness more away victories, which will not only improve the image of the league but also make it more competitive.