By KATE OBODO

Referees preparing to kick-start a league match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Former Golden Eaglets coach, Henry Nwosu has called on the NPL to enforce the use of good turfs like this one pictured here to ensure the league improves.

Former Golden Eaglets coach Henry Nwosu has urged the management of the Nigeria Premier League, NPL to enforce the use of good  pitches by clubs and also help improve the security of referees and welfare of players  for a better second  round of the  season.

“When we are talking about changes in the league, the pitches where players play football  is not exempted. A good pitch speaks volume of the management of the league. Good pitches contribute immensely in the performance of the players.

If the pitch is not good, it will affect the players one way or the other but if the pitch is good, it will affect the players positively. Most of the pitches used for league matches are due for fixing. The NPL needs to do something about the pitches  before the commencement of the second round of the game,”Nwosu said.

On the aspect of  security and welfare for both the players and the referees, Nwosu said, “there should be enough security for players and referees, be  it home or  away matches as this will go a long way to improve the league,” he said.

Ocean Boys target Top 5 position

As the second stanza of the Nigerian Premier League, NPL gets set to resume after the National elections, Ocean Boys FC  are confident they will be among the five best at the end of the second round.

Disclosing this to Inside Out Premier League, Media Officer of the team, Asein Eddy Ohis, said every thing the team need to succeed have been put in place by the management.

According to him, about seven experienced players have been signed to beef up the team and finance will not be a problem for the team in the next season while players’  welfare  will also be taken care of.

“Though we may  not be  there yet but the truth is that we are not for  relegation this season. I do not like saying this or boasting about our success. With the way the team have prepared for the next round, I know we will come out best at the end. And if the officiating is fair and the players peak in form before the season ends, we are going to be among the top five.

“We are earnestly preparing for the next round of the league, as it is now we have found about seven players that will join the team but I cannot really ascertain how sure it is until all of them bring their clearances and
I register them,” he said.

NPL should advertise the Premier League – Beke

Former Bayelsa Football Club of Yenagoa chairman Felix Beke has said continuous  promotion of the Nigerian Premier League, NPL in the media will go a long way to improve the league.

According to him, the league should  be advertised often for public viewing  like the European league as it will help mobilize fans to the  stadium to watch matches.

“Advertisement plays a vital role in any product,  the league in this aspect is not exempted. Our clubs need to be advertised for people to know. I think this is  one aspect the NPL should focus on.

They should also give fans incentives when they come to watch matches just as it is done in the Europe. This will help the league grow beyond what it is now.

“Apart from officiating, what I think should be done in the second round is the need for  crowd control. The league should start  educating  Nigerians in order for them to  come out and watch matches. There must be an enlightenment in form of a campaign so that the stadia will be full again.

Secondly,  if the sponsorship deal is  handled properly by the NPL, I think   clubs will be properly motivated.

These are the things I think should be  done. Though officiating might not be  100 percent but they should still do something to improve on it,” he said.