LMC announces December 27 start date for 2020/21 season
The new Nigeria Professional Football League season will start on December 27, the League Management Company has confirmed.
NPFL action was suspended on March 18 following a surge in the number of Covid-19 confirmed cases and the season declared concluded six months later, owing to a Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 ban on sporting activities.
The ban was lifted in early October, but due to a number of issues — including some clubs’ failure to meet clubs licensing requirements — the LMC deemed it necessary to delay the kick-off.
However, the new season is now scheduled to begin on December 27, after the League Management Company reached an agreement with other major stakeholders on Friday.
“#NPFL21 will kick off on December 27 after consultation with @thenff, the participating clubs & the league’s commercial rights holders & strategic commercial partners @RedstrikeSports,” the league body wrote on Twitter.
#NPFL21 will kick off on December 27 after consultation with @thenff, the participating clubs & the league's commercial rights holders & strategic commercial partners @RedstrikeSports
— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) December 19, 2020
Abia and Akwa Ibom derbies will take the centre stage on opening day, with Enyimba facing Abia Warriors while Akwa United host city rivals Dakkada.
Elsewhere, Enugu Rangers will play Rivers United, who are set to meet South African side Bloemfontein Celtics in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie.