The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has failed to break into the top 10 of Africa’s strongest domestic leagues in the latest 2025 ranking released by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), following an assessment of leagues across the continent based on performance and competitiveness during the period under review, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
According to the IFFHS classification, Egypt’s Nile League retained its position as the strongest league in Africa for 2025, continuing its dominance on the continent. Morocco’s Botola Pro ranked second, while South Africa’s Betway Premiership placed third.
Algeria’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 and Tunisia’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 completed the top five, further highlighting the strong grip of North African leagues on the rankings.
Leagues from East and Central Africa were also well represented, with Tanzania’s NBC Premier League finishing sixth and DR Congo’s Linafoot Ligue 1 ranked seventh.
Mali’s Ligue 1 Orange, Angola’s Girabola, and Ivory Coast’s Ligue 1 Lonaci rounded off the top 10 in eighth, ninth, and tenth positions, respectively.
The NPFL’s absence from the elite group raises fresh concerns about Nigeria’s domestic league standing on the continental stage, despite ongoing efforts to improve organisation, infrastructure, and overall competitiveness.
Top 10 Strongest African Leagues for 2025 (IFFHS):
- Egypt – Nile League
- Morocco – Botola Pro
- South Africa – Betway Premiership
- Algeria – Ligue Professionnelle 1
- Tunisia – Ligue Professionnelle 1
- Tanzania – NBC Premier League
- DR Congo – Linafoot Ligue 1
- Mali – Ligue 1 Orange
- Angola – Girabola
- Ivory Coast – Ligue 1 Lonaci
The ranking is expected to reignite debates around the need for sustained reforms in Nigerian domestic football if the NPFL is to regain its place among Africa’s elite leagues.