Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Rivers United will begin the defence of its title against Lobi Stars on January 8th, 2023 in Match Day 1 of the abridged season.
In the draw conducted on Wednesday in Abuja by the organisers of the NPFL, the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the twenty clubs have been divided into two groups of ten teams each that will played the abridged League format.
Chairman of (IMC), Gbenga Elegbeleye said the idea behind the abridged League is to harmonise the Nigerian League with those of other countries.
“We need to allow our League run alongside other Leagues in the world,” IMC Chairman Elegbeleye said.
- Read more: Abuja Prepares For 2022/2023 NPFL Draws
The Chairman said the IMC under his leadership is working very hard to rebrand the Nigerian League. He said the winners of the 2022/2023 season will go home with 100million Maira prize money.
Elegbeleye added that this development is a huge improvement in the past practice where the winner only got 50million Naira, which he regretted has not been paid in the past two Seasons.
Representatives of the Sports Minister, Abba Yola and that of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, commended the efforts of IMC for trying to make the Nigerian League conform with what it is obtainable world wide.
Fixtures scheduled for Match Day 1
Group A
Nasarawa United Vs Enyimba FC
Akwa United Vs Bendel Insurance FC
Plateau United Vs Shooting Stars FC
Kwara United Vs Gombe United
Remo Stars Vs El-Kannemi Warriors
Group B
Bayelsa United Vs Dakada FC
Wikki Tourist Vs Niger Tornadoes
Doma United Vs Sunshine Stars
Rivers United Vs Lobi Stars
Rangers International Vs Abia Warriors.
