The NPFL, without any doubt, has its own challenges, and it has become the responsibility of the league body to come up with solutions – at least that is why they have been given the nod to move the nation’s top-flight forward.
Credit to them, the league has advanced in a couple of ways, but there is still more to be done. One of the things that has come to mind for me is the scheduling of matches this 2025/26 season.
Since the arrival of Propel (Over the Top live platform) as partners of the league in 2023, there has been a bit of live following of matches for many. Although they have their own issues and inconsistencies in terms of delivery, it is still better than a whole lot of things.
Meanwhile, matches were shown on StarTimes in the 2023/24 season as well as the 2024/25 season. However, it has been a different case this term, and it remains to be seen whether the broadcasters will make a return. A small attempt to get the games on NTA failed without a trace, so the games are on Propel for now.
Now, to the scheduling of matches this term, it has been an eyesore, and it brings me to the question – is Propel not broadcast enough? Out of the 8 match days we have seen (excluding two outstanding games), 59/78 (76%) matches have kicked off by 4 pm on Sundays. If not for a couple of postponements due to continental assignments, the number would probably have crossed the 80% mark.
The NPFL is quite peculiar and I expected the league to factor a couple of things in when they are scheduling the matches. Without mincing words, the league’s timing issues have significantly hampered fan engagement, viewership for Propel, and the overall growth of the NPFL brand. This issue has simply diminished the potential impact of streaming platforms meant to enhance accessibility and engagement.
Propel was introduced to solve a long-standing problem — making NPFL matches available online to fans across Nigeria and abroad. It offers an opportunity to watch games live or on demand, a service that should, in theory, boost the league’s visibility and revenue. However, the benefits of such a platform are being undermined by poor scheduling. If fans cannot be afforded the chance to see multiple matches at different times on a match day, then such a schedule should be ditched. For fans, the frustration is palpable. Even with access to Propel, many NPFL supporters have found it difficult to keep up with other teams due to the schedule.
The NPFL’s growth potential is undeniable, and platforms like Propel have opened new doors for visibility. But without a disciplined approach to scheduling, these innovations risk becoming underutilized. The future of Nigerian football’s top flight depends not just on the quality of play — but on how well the league can manage time.
