Following an elongated match-day one action, the Nigeria Professional Football League has rescheduled some of the season’s games to make up for the lost time in the early days of the abridged 2022/23 season.
The projected end date of the league isn’t affected, as the organisers created one more midweek round of matches to meet up with the May 14 date.
According to the previous calendar, the regular season had three midweek matches on match-day two, five and 11, while match-day eight has now been earmarked for midweek in the new calendar to make the number of midweek games four.
A Super-Six play-off will follow to determine the champions of the league and the winners of available continental slots.
The readjustment began with the push back of one of the match-day one encounters between Nasarawa United and Enyimba to Saturday January 14, while the other match-day one fixtures will be played on Sunday January 15.
In a circular sent to the clubs, which was obtained by our correspondent, the league organisers wrote, “Be informed that Group A match-day 1 fixture has been rescheduled as follows: Nasarwa United vs Enyimba, Sat. 14/01/23. Kindly ensure that the necessary logistics are put in place for the game.”
One of the clubs, Nasarwa United, through its media officer, Eche Amos, also notified the public via the club’s social media accounts.
“This is to inform our esteemed fans and concerned stakeholders that our 2022/23 Abridged Group ‘A’ Nigeria Professional Football League match-day one fixture earlier scheduled for Sunday, 8th January, 2023 against visiting Enyimba FC of Aba at the New Jos Stadium, Plateau State, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, 14th January, 2023, with the venue remaining the same. Kick-off time is 4pm.”
Other Group A match-day one matches will see Plateau United host 3SC of Ibadan in Jos, Kwara United will lock horns with Gombe United at their adopted home in Ibadan while Remo Stars will face El-Kaneni Warriors of Maiduguri in Ikenne.
In Group B, Enugu Rangers and Abia Warriors will face off in an Oriental Derby, while another derby in the South-South will see Bayelsa United and Dakkada slug it out in Yenagoa.
Wikki Tourists welcome Niger Tornadoes to Bauchi and Doma United host Sunshine Stars. Rivers United and Lobi Stars wrap up action in the group.