NPFL Missing in Africa’s Top 10 strongest Leagues for 2025

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has failed to make the top 10 in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) ranking of Africa’s strongest domestic leagues for 2025.

The latest assessment by the IFFHS, which evaluates leagues based on overall performance, competitiveness, and continental impact, represents a setback for Nigerian football despite recent efforts to improve the league’s structure and professionalism.

North African leagues once again asserted their dominance on the continent, with Egypt’s Nile League claiming the top position to reaffirm its status as Africa’s strongest domestic competition.

Morocco’s Botola Pro followed closely in second place, while South Africa’s Betway Premiership secured third, highlighting the growing strength of football in Southern Africa.

The IFFHS rankings further underlined North Africa’s grip on elite domestic football, with Algeria’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 ranked fourth, and Tunisia’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 finished fifth.

Their consistent performances in CAF competitions and strong domestic organisation continue to set them apart from many leagues across the continent.

Beyond North and Southern Africa, several leagues earned recognition for their competitiveness and development: Tanzania’s NBC Premier League – 6th, DR Congo’s Linafoot Ligue 1 – 7th, Mali’s Ligue 1 Orange – 8th, Angola’s Girabola – 9th and Ivory Coast’s Ligue 1 Lonaci – 10th