Telecommunication giants, Globacom have lauded the Nigeria Football League (NFL) board for successfully organizing the inaugural edition of the Super 8 Cup which ended in Kano on Sunday.

Speaking during the medals and trophy presentation to deserving winners at the Sanni Abacha Stadium, the company’s Regional manager in Kano, Oluwakemi Kaka disclosed that Globacom was proud to be associated with the league body in moving the game forward.

"The just concluded tourney is a clear testimony that our domestic football has gained acceptance among spectators. This has always been our version through the sponsorship of the Globacom Premier League. The people of Kano have also demonstrated their love for the game by coming out in their thousands to witness the matches. It is our hope that the NFL will continue its good work and see that the domestic game builds on the successes recorded at Super 8," Kaka noted.

Speaking further, he revealed that the telecommunication outfit earmarked N14.4m as prize money out of the N18.4m approved for the football extravaganza.

Kano Pillars who won the tournament carted home the top prize of N5m while hard-fighting Warri Wolves settled for N3m after seeing off the likes of Heartland and Gateway.

Assistant coach of the home-based Super Eagles, Erasmus Onuh has scored the Super 8 Cup Championship high in terms of standard of play put forward by the teams that took part in the inaugural tourney.

The former Jigawa Golden Stars’ tactician however disclosed that the Nigeria Football League (NFL) board needs to do more in the area of welfare for players’ welfare, as a way of bringing out the best from players during matches.

"The standard of the Super 8 was quite high. The newly promoted teams showed enough guts that they can hold their own against any opposition.

"To a large extent I will rate Warri Wolves far above the other three teams that have just been elevated. Their performance on the pitch was quite awesome as they proved that they have come to stay," he said.

"However, as the new season beckons, I want the NFL to look into grey areas like players’ welfare and see that clubs still owing outstanding entitlement endeavour to pay-up before commencement of the new season.

"Also they must give officiating all the necessary attention."

Speaking on talents on display Onuh stated: "Yes, this is an area I quite appreciate. A good member of the players are still young and could easily fit into any of the age group national teams like the U-23, Flying Eagles and of course the home-based Super Eagles.

"Furthermore, I want to appreciate the effort of the sponsors and the league body for deeming it fit to introduce such a tourney among the top 8 clubs in the land.

This has also shown that the teams that won the league shield as well as those that were newly promoted truly deserve their respective achievements," he concluded.