Share
By: Abiodun Adewale.
Players in the Nigeria Professional Football League and their fans are anticipating the start of the new season as fixtures for the 2023/24 season will be released on Tuesday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It’s the first time the NPFL will be starting in September in about a decade as previous seasons have usually fallen behind the August to May football calendar.
The incoming season was initially billed to start August 26, but the Interim Management Committee of the NPFL, led by Gbenga Elegbeleye, shifted the resumption date by two weeks to September 9.
This, according to the IMC, was necessary to install, test and train personnel that will operate the newly acquired AI cameras, which will be used to stream the league on a digital platform next season.
With the draws for the season holding in Abuja today as well as the AGM of the IMC, the players are already looking forward to the challenge.
Captain of newly promoted side Sporting Lagos, Vincent Akpikpi as well as a Katsina United midfielder Azeez Falolu are eager to start life in the NPFL.
“We have experienced life in the pre-season but we are waiting for the real deal. Yes, we know the NPFL is very tough but we believe our hard work as a team will help us achieve our objectives. I don’t want to fantasise about playing a particular team in the first game, but we are ready for any team,” Akpipi told our correspondent.
“Playing in the Naija Super 8 gave us a bit of what to expect. Katsina United is a big team not just in the north but in the NPFL as well and I am happy we are back in the league. Our training has intensified recently and we will be ready to compete again,” Katsina United man, Falolu, said.
Also, the Chairman of Rivers United Supporters Club, Franklin Owhor, believes the 2022 champions can reclaim the title again after missing out last season.
“We have missed the excitement of supporting our team every week. We enjoy what we do and we are eagerly waiting to support them again and hopefully it will be our season again.”
The draws for the incoming season is expected to be conducted after the AGM, while some ex-internationals are also expected to be in attendance.