The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is around the corner, and the excitement is building.
In the past, pre-season tournaments were not a significant part of the football calendar in Nigeria. Clubs typically relied on friendly matches to prepare for the new season. However, this landscape has changed significantly in recent years.
The shift began when select clubs were invited to participate in mini tournaments. Although most of these early efforts were poorly organized, they paved the way for better-organized preseason events.
The Gold Cup, organized by a renowned journalist and administrator, Tunde Shamsudeen, set a new standard over a decade ago. It has since become one of the best preseason tournaments in the country, showcasing top-notch organization and quality.
A few years ago, the Value Jet preseason tournament was born, bringing a first-class touch to quality organization. This tournament has raised the bar for preseason competitions in Nigeria, providing a platform for teams to test their skills and prepare for the rigors of the NPFL season.
This season, the Gold Cup and Value Jet preseason tournaments will feature teams from Africa, an obvious growth and quality of these competitions.
This development is a sure sign of the increasing importance of pre-season tournaments in Nigeria. More tournaments have sprung up across the country, providing a platform for teams to compete and prepare for the new season.
The NPFL season is expected to be exciting, and the pre-season tournaments have set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling campaign. The Gold Cup and Value Jet preseason tournaments are the ones to watch, with their track record of quality organization and competition.
