Sports
LMC Lures Ex-Internationals To Glo League
The League Management Company has introduced an innovative scheme called the ‘Elite Players Project’, which aims to lure experienced ex-internationals back to the Glo Premier League.
Details of the scheme has already been listed in the 2013/14 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules, and was explained to all twenty clubs in a circular signed by the LMC’s chief operating officer, Salihu Abubakar on April 20.
The circular listed the major objective to include the improvement of professionalism in the NPFL by permitting clubs to register a maximum of two ex-international players in addition to the maximum 35 allowed in a season.
“The LMC hereby brings to the notice of all participating Clubs of the NPFL the commencement of its ‘Elite Players Project’. This project is pursuant to Rules 9.65, 9.67. 13.60.1, 13.60(viii) and 15.21 of the NPFL Framework and Rules 2013/14 season,” the circular read.
Further explaining its benefits, Abubakar said the scheme is expected to increase the level of experience in the Glo Premier League.
“It has been designed to increase and deepen players-experience pool of the league, bolster the morale and confidence of younger players in the NPFL, project the image of the league as a welcoming and conducive playing environment for the return of Nigeria’s finest crop of international professional footballers and boost the mass appeal of the league for commercialisation”.
Similar initiatives already exist in South American leagues, as well as in South Africa and the MLS in the United States.
Enyimba is the first club to benefit from the move having signed former Nigeria international Sani Kaita on a short-term loan deal. The LMC revealed that they are willing to financially assist clubs that look to utilise the programme.
“To encourage the players to settle down, the LMC will pay additional stipends that will make life more comfortable to the elite players and help them adjust faster,” Abubakar said.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
