The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) 2015 season runners-up, Warri Wolves will square up against reigning Federations Cup holders, Akwa United in the kick-off of the first round of the 2016 NPFL Super 4 Tournament.
The draws for the first round of the Super 4 tournament released by the Office of the Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company, (LMC), Salihu Abubakar also indicate that NPFL champions, Enyimba will play last season’s second runners-up, Nasarawa United for the second fixture of the first day.
The clubs will observe a rest day on Thursday,January 21 and return to action again on Friday, with late kick-off by5pm when Akwa United will tackle Enyimba International in the first game while Warri Wolves and Nasarawa United slug it out in a night game from 7pm.
“We have scheduled the late kick-off on that Friday to enable Nigerians watch the Super Eagles play their Tunisian counterparts in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. We consider it as part of the development of the league for players in the NPFL to watch their team mates representing the country in international competitions. Seeing their mates will fire up their own aspiration to up their game and also be in a position to make the national team,” remarked Abubakar.
On the last day of the tournament, Nasarawa United and Akwa United will play in the first game at 2pm while Enyimba International and Warri Wolves will play the last game of the tournament.
Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna is billed to host the first leg of the pre-season tournament which holds betweenWednesday, January 20 and Sunday, January 24.
The second leg will be played at the Akwa-Ibom International Stadium, (The Nest of Champions) in Uyo, from February 1 to February 5.
LMC said it is organising the two rounds of the Super 4 this season to provide the four teams representing the country in continental club competitions sufficient competitive games to gain match fitness before their respective international fixtures commencing on the weekend of February 12-14.
By Olisemeka Obeche