Nigeria Leagues
NPFL partners with Sevilla for player development and coach training
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced a new partnership with Spanish LaLiga side Sevilla FC ahead of the 2024/2025 season. This collaboration will integrate NPFL into Sevilla’s ‘World Club Alliance Program’.
Under this agreement, Sevilla FC will provide expertise in various areas, with a special focus on coaching education and the development of young Nigerian talent. NPFL President Gbenga Elegbeleye recently visited Sevilla, meeting with President José María del Nido Carrasco and touring the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.
“We are very happy to be able to work with the Nigerian Professional League. Sevilla FC is convinced that this alliance can help NPFL clubs to continue improving and encourage the development of youth players. It is a new decisive step in our internationalisation process and will help our brand to continue to grow in Africa, in a country like Nigeria from which we are receiving a lot of support after the signing of Chidera Ejuke,” explained Carrasco.
Elegbeleye highlighted the potential benefits of this partnership for Nigerian football: “We have 20 clubs in the Nigerian Premier League, all with their own youth academies. Sevilla FC’s development strategy and youth program are exemplary. This partnership allows the best players in the Nigeria Youth League to train in Spain and return as improved players. Additionally, our coaches will benefit from Sevilla’s training programs. It is a win-win arrangement for everyone in the NPFL.”
The NPFL President also noted the increased interest in Sevilla FC in Nigeria following the signing of Chidera Ejuke from Royal Antwerp: “Nigerians showed a lot of interest in Sevilla FC after they signed Chidera Ejuke. The fan base in Nigeria is growing every day.”
The NPFL delegation also visited the Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios, where they held initial working meetings to establish the first steps of this partnership.
This collaboration strengthens the NPFL’s affiliation with LaLiga, which previously had similar ties with the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
Additionally, Sevilla FC is expected to unveil another Nigerian player, Kelechi Iheanacho, who is set to join the Rojiblancos before the start of the season.
