Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL 2024/25 Golden Boot winner Anas Yusuf has received extra motivation to bang in more than 20 goals this new campaign.
The Nasarawa United striker set himself the target yesterday in Abuja where he collected his top scorer’s award at a ceremony organised by the NPFL.
According to Yusuf the award has sparked a determination in him to score more goals than the 18 he netted last season.
“I’m happy to be recognised by the NPFL. This award motivates me to push harder, and I hope to surpass my goal-scoring record from last season and hopefully score more than 20 goals ,” he said.
The NPFL also honoured Daniel Ogunmodede, the Coach of Remo Stars, champions of the 2024/25 season.
Ogunmodede guided his side to a historic first NPFL title as Remo Stars clinched the championship with 71 points, becoming the first privately-owned club from the South-West since the year 2000 to lift the league trophy.
The Awards were delayed due to Ogunmodede and Yusuf’s involvement with Nigeria in the just ended Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Gracing the well attended ceremony is the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, who was represented by the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
In his address, Gusau reaffirmed his often stated confidence in the running of the league by the NPFL board led by Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
“The league is improving week in and week out. Every day, I receive not less than 20 invitations from clubs abroad. Instead of castigating our league, let us support and rally round it because the growth is obvious. The NFF fully supports what the NPFL board is doing,” the NFF President said in his address through Sanusi.
Stressing the board’s dedication to raising standards, Elegbeleye admitted inherent challenges in their operations but promised to deliver the goods.
“We continue to work around the teething issues that could disrupt the smooth running of the league. Over the last three years, we’ve been able to start and finish the season as scheduled. This consistency has built confidence in the private sector, which is now willing to work with us. Our dream is to raise the quality and standard of the NPFL, ultimately increasing revenue for clubs and organisers,” Elegbeleye said.
