IMC releases comprehensive schedule for abridged 2022/2023 NPFL season

By Wale Mustapha

The Interim Management Committee, IMC has released the full fixtures for the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL that is expected to end by middle of May, 2023.

According to fixtures schedule, 10 clubs pitted in each group of A and B will play a combined total of 180 matches – 90 in each group over 18 Matchdays beginning from Sunday January 8, 2023.

The comprehensive schedule which has been mailed to all the participating clubs and media partners will see the clubs reaching a mid-season on February 18 and resuming on March 25.

This schedule allows for the period of National and State Elections that will hold across the country from February 25 to March 18. It also availed clubs a short period of time to make needed reinforcement to their teams in order to be more stronger for the continued season.

The season’s fixtures also provided for three midweek games on Matchday Two, Five and 11 which were designed to take care of the long mid-season break for the general elections.

The IMC however added a caveat providing for fixture changes when necessary to accommodate Club Licensing decisions, television broadcast schedules and CAF Inter-club fixtures.

Meanwhile, dates for the Super Six play-off will be determined by the league organizers at an appropriate time.

Rivers United won the 2021/2022 NPFL season played on a straight league format while Enyimba FC are the last club to win the abridged version of the Nigerian top flight in 2019.