All is now set for the commencement of this year’s Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) Championship League Play- off ( Super 6) which is slated for Saturday, June 3- Sunday, June,11 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena formerly known as Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
Disclosing this during a press conference and draws for the championship, Chairman of the League Management Committee, Gbenga Elegbeleye said that all the six teams participating in the championship namely; Bendel Insurance, Lobi Stars, Rivers United, Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars are fully prepared to entertain fans at the weeklong competition which will be played on a round robin basis.
According to him, the League Management Committee has brought some level of sanity to the league with referees allowances and indemnity not only increased but paid before any league match which has affected the level of officiating positively.
“The Super 6 will enable us decide the real champion of the League and we’ve put all logistics on ground for a successful tournament and we promise to give all teams a level playing ground that has been witnessed in our league recently.
” You’ll agree with me that the league has gotten some level of sanity because our partnership with GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has ensured that referees allowances, transportation, accommodation, feeding and other indemnity apart from being increased by fifty percent are now paid on time.
” This has assured improved officiating which made it possible for us to now witness many away wins which was almost impossible in the past. We’ve also made sure that any team whose fans are involved in assaulting referees or pitch invasion have three points deducted from them and this also helped in curbing hooliganism in our match venues and we’ll continue to apply the rules and sanctions whenever the need arises.
Chief Operating Officer of the League Davidson Owumi explained that all the teams will play five matches while there will be rest days in between the matches noting that they hope that at the end of the day the best three teams that will represent the country at CAF organised competitions will emerge.
Executive Director of GTI, Nelson Ine said his organisation is happy partnering the NPFL to reposition the local league positing that the plan of his company is to ensure that the country’s domestic league is at per with other major leagues in the world.
The draw shows that Enyimba FC of Aba will face Remo Stars in the first match of the day starting by 2pm while it will be the turn of Sunshine Stars of Akure and Rivers United slated for 4pm with the Day 1 last match between Bendel Insurance and Lobi Stars coming up at 6pm.
Sunday, June 4, will be observed as rest day while action continues in the same venue on Monday, June, 5.
Highlights of the draws was the unveiling of new NPL logo. Overall winner of the Super 6 will be crowned the 2022/2023 League champion and will take home the sum of N100million and a trophy.
SOURCE : NEWSTAP