Nasarawa United striker Anas Yusuf, top scorer in the just-concluded 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, will not attend the Eunisell Golden Boot Award ceremony scheduled for Friday in Lagos. This comes after the NPFL management challenged the organisers over what it termed the “unauthorised” use of the league’s name and brand.

Yusuf, who scored 18 goals during the season, was set to receive a cash prize of ₦3.6 million — ₦200,000 per goal — in line with Eunisell’s longstanding tradition of rewarding the NPFL’s highest goal scorer. However, with the dispute now threatening the award’s credibility, his attendance has been ruled out due to what his camp cited as a conflict of interest following the NPFL’s directive.

In a letter obtained by PUNCH Sports Extra, NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye called the use of the league’s name for the award “illegal,” stating that Eunisell does not have any official partnership or permission from the league.

“This is an illegal use of our title,” the letter read. “You do not have a partnership with the NPFL, nor have you sought approval from the board. Desist immediately or we will report the matter to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.”

The NPFL’s warning has drawn strong criticism from several stakeholders who see the league’s position as a blow to positive private-sector involvement. Many argue that the Eunisell Boot has been a consistent and motivating initiative since it began in 2018.

Ojeikere Aikhoje, organiser of the Eunisell Boot and the League Bloggers Award, expressed disappointment, saying, “Eunisell is the only company that has supported the NPFL for 10 consecutive years. Instead of appreciation, we are now being labelled illegal.”

Sports journalist Rasaq Oboirien also criticised the NPFL for its approach, noting that the league should be fostering partnerships, not discouraging them. “Who describes a reputable, ISO-certified company as unscrupulous?” he questioned.

NPFL commentator Ralph George added, “This is not the direction a progressive league should take. Eunisell is promoting excellence by rewarding goals. Players need such motivation.”

Despite the standoff, the future of the Eunisell Boot remains uncertain, as calls grow louder for both parties to find common ground to continue recognising top-performing players and boosting the profile of Nigerian football.