NPFL bars coaches without CAF licence from top-flight

The Nigeria Premier Football League board has directed all coaches in the top-flight to obtain the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) B Licence.

The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, announced that the requirement is part of the league’s bid to improve the quality of technical performance of the clubs.

He said the measure is coming into force to trigger the coaches to acquire training that will improve what they offer to players.

“One of the areas of the league we seek to improve in the new season is the area of technical performance of our teams through the players, and this can only be achieved by having competent managers on the bench,” Owumi told NPFL Media.

“For this season, we will only allow Head Coaches with a minimum qualification of the CAF B Licence to sit on the bench. This may be reviewed upward next season.

“The idea is to encourage our coaches to improve themselves through higher certifications by participating in reputable courses.”

The 2023-24 NPFL season will kick off on Saturday, September 30.