Nigeria National League board reaffirms October 28 kickoff date for 2023/24 season 

By Wale Mustapha

The board of Nigeria National League, NNL has reiterated its plans to commence the 2023/2024 season on October 28, 2023.

Chief Operating Officer, C.O.O  of the ‘Most Important’ league’ in Nigeria, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahman disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday, adding that the 40 participating clubs have been given until Wednesday 18th October, 2023 to meet up with the club Licencing requirements as stipulated in the NNL rule books.

Dr. Abdulrahman confirmed that the kickoff date was unanimously chosen and agreed by the clubs owners and the management of the league as well as other relevant stakeholders, stressing that the board is determined to proceed with it calendar of events as agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Jos.

“We are putting every step right to ensure we kick-started the season as earlier planned,” he told the NNL media.

“We are trying to avoid draw-backs and this is why we have told the clubs to attach huge importance to the kick off date as they go about their registration.

“We want the clubs to submit all registeration materials on the said date. NNL will not be held responsible if they fail to do so.”

The NNL also confirmed that the match between Dakkada Football Club of Uyo and 1472 Football Club of Lagos at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State will be the star match of the opening fixtures.

Heartland FC of Owerri won the 2022/2023 NNL season after beating Kano Pillars in the championship playoffs held in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.