Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi is convinced that the South African top flight is several notches better than the Nigeria Professional Football League, Soccernet.ng reports.
Established 52 years ago, the NPFL has seen better days, the height of which was in 2012 when it was ranked as the best in Africa and 24th best in the world by the IFFHS.
That rating even placed it a spot above the Scottish Premier League for the year.
However, despite recent attempts at rebranding the Nigerian top flight, it is still ranked behind several leagues on the continent including that of Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa.
With the current low rating of the NPFL, Marumo Gallants’ goalie Akpeyi is convinced that it can not be compared with the South African Betway Premiership.
And the former Kaizer Chiefs has urged his countrymen to ditch the NPFL for the league as it gives their talents more exposure in front of a global audience.
“To be quite honest with you, Nigerians have to consider this league because without disrespect, with all humility, there’s no way you can compare the Nigerian league and the South African league,” Akpeyi told FARPost.
“We have a lot of good players in Nigeria, a lot of good talent in Nigeria but they need this kind of exposure for their talent to be seen around the world.
“It’s not that they cannot be seen in the Nigerian league as well. But the PSL league, like I said initially, is one of the top six leagues in Africa.
“It’s one of the best in the world as well, it’s recognised. With all the talent that we have in Nigeria, if you can find the way in the PSL league, trust me it’s easy to showcase yourself in the world.”
The NPFL has produced top-class talents – including Peter Ijeh, Ahmed Musa, and Joseph Akpala – who went on to enjoy excellent careers in Europe and beyond.