- Newly Promoted Clubs May Not Play On Day one
As part of preparations to kick start the 2018/2019 NPFL season initially scheduled for Sunday 13th January 2019 across the league centres in Nigeria, the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigerian Professional Football League club owners will be meeting in Abuja Friday.
A notice for the Emergency meeting cum AGM released Wednesday evening and signed by the Executive secretary of the Club Owners Association, Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka indicated that the Friday 11th January 2019 meeting will hold at Reno Hotel in Abuja by 10pm.
Before now The New Diplomat gathered that the four new entrants into Nigeria top flight NPFL football league will not play games on Sunday 13. This information football followers suggest is clear indication that the league may not actually kick off this Sunday.
“For older clubs it takes more than two weeks to successfully register players among other things, how much more using three days,” a source who pleaded anonymity but familiar with club administration admits.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hon Nduka Irabor conducted draws for the four promoted teams, Kada City, Gombe United, Bendel Insurance. Pot 1 – Bendel Insurance. Pot 2 -Remo Stars. Pot 3 – Kada City. Pot 4 – Gombe United.
Hon Nduka Irabor disclosed that the newly promoted four teams will not play the league opener January 13th as their games are been postponed, while the other twenty teams will kick off the league.
FACTS FROM SUPER 8
Gombe United last played in the elite group in 2016/2017 season, same with Sunshine Stars.
Bendel Insurance last appearance in the NPFL was 11 years ago with 11th minute winner against Shooting Stars.
A private club Kada City are first timers to the big boys’ party.
NPFL FIXTURES
*Group A*
Wikki Tourists FC *vs* Insurance (PSP)
Rivers United FC *vs* Remo Stars (PSP)
Rangers International *vs* Niger Tornadoes
Lobi Stars *vs* Katsina United
Kwara United *vs* Sunshine Stars
Enyimba Int’l FC *vs* MFM FC
Group B
Yobe Desert Stars *vs* Gombe United (PSP)
Go-Round FC *vs* Kada City (PSP)
Nasarawa United FC *vs* Abia Warriors FC
Plateau United FC *vs* FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Kano Pillars FC *vs* Heartland FC
Akwa United *vs* El-Kanemi Warriors
