Sports Marketing Consultant Calls for Better Stadiums, Player Welfare and Mental Preparation to Boost League Competitiveness
A FIFA-licensed football agent and Sports Marketing Consultant, Dr. Drew Uyi, has attributed the persistent struggles of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs to secure away victories to deep-rooted structural challenges affecting the country’s football ecosystem.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Uyi said the issue goes beyond player quality, stressing that infrastructure, logistics, player welfare and psychological factors continue to influence results in the domestic league.
According to him, the significant differences in stadium infrastructure and playing conditions across Nigeria force players to constantly adapt to varying environments, making away fixtures more difficult.
“The quality of infrastructure differs significantly from one venue to another. Players often have to adapt to poor pitches, inadequate training facilities and varying stadium conditions, which naturally affect performance. Football should be decided by quality and tactics, not by who adapts better to difficult playing surfaces,” he said.
Uyi also identified travel arrangements and player welfare as major concerns, noting that many teams endure long road trips, poor logistics, inadequate accommodation and limited recovery time before matches.
He explained that modern football requires effective sports science, proper recovery programmes and efficient travel planning to ensure players perform at their best.
The football expert further pointed to the psychological mindset of players, saying many clubs approach away fixtures with a defensive mentality because of the long-held belief that winning outside their home grounds is extremely difficult.
He urged clubs to build stronger winning cultures through experienced coaching, sports psychology and effective leadership within their squads.
On refereeing, Uyi acknowledged improvements in officiating standards but stressed the need for greater transparency, accountability and continuous training for match officials to maintain public confidence in the league.
He called on NPFL clubs to invest beyond player recruitment by strengthening sports science departments, improving player welfare, embracing data-driven performance analysis and enhancing mental resilience.
Uyi also appealed to governments and private-sector partners to continue investing in quality stadium infrastructure across the country.
While commending the progress recorded by the NPFL in recent seasons, he maintained that consistent away victories are essential if Nigerian clubs are to become more competitive in both domestic and continental competitions.
According to him, creating an environment where every team has a fair opportunity to compete regardless of venue will strengthen the league, increase its commercial value and attract greater confidence from fans, sponsors and investors.
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