Ranked! Top Five Football Leagues on the African Continent

• Football leagues in Africa are totally different from what is obtainable in other parts of the world
• Morocco reaching the semi-final of the World Cup means they are doing something right with football
• Nigeria's Professional Football League is ranked ahead of South Africa's Premier Soccer League

Football in Africa has continued to witness levels of development, especially in the northern part of the continent.

The South African Premier Division (Premier Soccer League) had dominated the chart for several years for their level of organisation, officiating, fan turnout and other factors.

The Botola Pro League of Morocco has witnessed a turnaround and its impact was felt at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with a number of the home-based players helping the Atlas Lions to the World Cup semi-final.

Here are the top five football leagues in Africa:

5. NPFL - Nigeria (TeamForm Rating: 58.9)

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The Nigeria Professional Football League is taking on a new look, especially after an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was established to manage it, Team Form reports.

Efforts to rebrand the league have been marred by insufficient funds, as well as the country’s political instability.

However, the IMC gave take-off grants to all 20 teams participating in the 2022/2023 NPFL season to boost their morale, agreeing to go ahead with an abridged league format this season.

Teams like Remo Stars and Shooting Stars have improved their stadium facilities, giving the league a beautiful look.

4. Premier League - Egypt (Team Rating: 59.6)

The Egyptian Premier League is also known as WE Egypt Premier League. Teams from the country have been impressive on the continent for the past five seasons.

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CAF named Al Ahly as the team of the century, and teams from Egypt have won the CAF Champions League 16 times.

Before 2014, Al Ahly and Zamalek used to negotiate their coverage deals, but a $10,160,000 deal with the state-owned Nile Sport Network was negotiated.

Many reforms have helped the league rank in Africa’s top five.

3. Ligue 1 - Tunisia (TeamForm Rating: 61.2)

The Tunisian Ligue 1 is well-funded. Also known as Tunisia Ligue Professionelle, this is the fifth-richest national soccer league in Africa with a net valuation worth of £81.32-million, according to Sokka.

Esperance de Tunis, Etoile du Sahel and CS Sfaxien are some of the best teams in the country.

2. Ligue 1 - Algeria (TeamForm Rating: 63.0)

One of the finest leagues in Africa, the Algerian Ligue 1 is expertly organised.

Teams play in beautiful stadiums, which has allowed players to showcase the artistry of African football.

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The league has really improved when it comes to player quality, match transparency and competitive teams, both at the continental and national levels.

The Algerian Ligue Professionelle 1 has produced 11 clubs with a total number of five titles won at the national club competitions.

1. Botola Pro - Morocco (TeamForm Rating: 63.9)

Currently one of the richest national soccer leagues in Africa with a net valuation of £134.28-mil (approximately $165.8mil), the Botola Pro is the first-tier league in Morocco.

The competition has witnessed a drastic turnaround in the last couple of years, African Vibes reports.

Teams in this league have won and won six titles at the continental level.

Due to its competitive nature, the league is currently the most viewed in Africa, with an average of 92% stadium occupancy and the potential for two-billion TV viewers.

Nigerians excluded from top team

Sports Brief earlier reported on the International Federation of Football Historians and Statisticians naming the best African team for 2022.

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The team is dominated by heroic Moroccans from the World Cup in Qatar, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah completing the list.

Conspicuously missing from the list are players from the Nigerian national team, despite the form of Napoli's Victor Osimhen.