The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has reached an agreement with La Liga outfit Sevilla for the training of coaches in the Nigerian topflight as well as the development of youth players, the Spanish club announced on Monday.
Chairman of the NPFL board, Gbenga Elegbeleye, embarked on a tour of Spain last week to meet potential clubs who can partner with the Nigerian topflight.
Sevilla announced that the partnership is in line with their ‘World Club Alliance Programme’, which will see them provide advice in sporting and other areas of development, with a special focus on coach training and developing the talent of young Nigerian players.
In a video shared by Sevilla, Elegbeleye took a tour of the club’s facility, their home ground, and the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium.
He expressed delight at the partnership, noting that the NPFL will benefit from Sevilla.
“We have 20 clubs in the NPFL, and they all have their youth academies. I know the history and track record of Sevilla FC. This is a very good club who have won trophies in Spain and Europe for many years. I feel that with their development strategy and their youth development programme, Nigeria can benefit”, Elegbeleye said.
“We believe that the best players in the Nigeria Youth League will be able to come here every season to train. With your help and training, when they return, they can become better players. We also have a training agreement for our coaches that will be positive for us. It is a win-win arrangement for everyone in the NPFL”.
Elegbeleye also harped on the signing of Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke earlier in the summer transfer window, and they are also said to be finalising the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho.
“When they signed Chidera Ejuke from Royal Antwerp, Nigerians showed a lot of interest in Sevilla FC. All the football lovers in Nigeria are happy. They want to know more about Sevilla now; the fan base in Nigeria is growing every day”.
Sevilla president José María del Nido Carrasco also believes the partnership will help grow the fanbase of the club in Africa.
“We are very happy to be able to work with the NPFL. Sevilla FC are 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”.
