The NPFL is competitive enough to produce teams that can excel in CAF Club competitions, but there are deep-lying problems with football Management in the country that undermine the growth of clubs according to Enyimba Technical Adviser Usman Abdallah. 
In a chat with brila.net Abdallah listed several challenges teams face in the country including players going for months without pay and “political players” foisted on Coaches.

Compared to the more established teams on the continent, the Enyimba gaffer insists whilst Nigerian footballers have the quality to play for teams like Esperance, TP Mazembe and Mamelodi Sundowns, the situation back home limits their growth.

He argues that Nigerian players suffer psychologically from the management crisis that has prevailed in the league.