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NPFL draw: Holders Rivers United begin title defence against Lobi Stars on January 8
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Defending champions Rivers United have been drawn in Group B alongside Enugu Rangers and Sunshine Stars for the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
The draw ceremony which took place at the conference Hall of Sandralia Hotel in Abuja saw the 20 NPFL clubs drawn into two groups of 10 each, with exceptions of teams from the same states.
Group A houses Nasarawa United, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Gombe United, Shooting Stars, Enyimba International FC, Remo Stars, Akwa United, Kwara United, and Bendel Insurance.
Topflight ewcomers, Doma United, Wikki Tourist, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Dakkada FC, Rangers International FC, Sunshine Stars, Bayelsa United, and Niger Tornadoes join holders Rivers United in Group B.
Speaking at the draw, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau praised the Interim Management Committee (IMC) over the progress made so far with the NPFL.
“Let me state clearly that the NFF is satisfied with the efforts the IMC headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has been making to rebrand and reposition the NPFL since its inauguration. The NFF commends the IMC Chairman and all his members for the highly successful pre-season tournament held earlier in the month, and also for the actualisation of this Draw Ceremony,” said Gusau, who was represented by Ademola Olajire, NFF director of communications.
“The commitment to engineer changes that will deliver a vibrant Nigeria League and a viable football economy in the country remains as firm as ever. The NFF will continue to provide the necessary support to the IMC to fulfill its terms of reference in flying colours.” he added.
On his part, IMC boss Gbenga Elegbeleye revealed that they have secured a sponsor to foot the indemnities of match officials for the next three years, with the payments to be done directly from the company to the appointed match officials.
“We are committed to eradicating the malaise of indebtedness to match officials, which compromises them and lowers their morale to do the right thing,” he assured.
“The IMC has also increased the winner’s prize for the season to the sum of N100 Million, which is a hundred percent increase on what was in place previously.”
The new league season is now scheduled to kick off on January 8, 2023, with season-ending Super Six of the top three teams from each group will determine the league Champions and continental places.
MATCHDAY 1 (A)
Nasarawa United Vs Enyimba FC
Akwa United Vs Bendel Insurance
Plateau United Vs Shooting Stars
Kwara United Vs Gombe United
Remo Stars Vs El-Kanemi Warriors
MATCHDAY 1 (B)
Bayelsa United Vs Dakkada FC
Wikki Tourists Vs Niger Tornadoes
Doma United Vs Sunshine Stars
Rivers United Vs Lobi Stars
Rangers Int’l Vs Abia Warriors
Group A
Nasarawa United
Plateau United
El-Kanemi Warriors
Gombe United
Shooting Stars
Enyimba
Remo Stars
Akwa United
Kwara United
Bendel Insurance
Group B
Doma United
Wikki Tourist
Lobi Stars
Rivers United
Abia Warriors
Dakkada FC
Rangers International
Sunshine Stars
Bayelsa United
Niger Tornadoes
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