IMC confirms 8 January as 2022-23 NPFL season kick-off date
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The 2022-23 Nigeria Professional Football League season will begin on 8 January 2023, with last season’s winners Rivers United scheduled to face Lobi Stars on opening day.
Fixtures for the new season were decided in Abuja on Wednesday at a draw ceremony conducted by Interim Management Company (IMC).
IMC has stuck with their earlier decision to have an abridged campaign instead of the traditional 38-matchday season — despite the format being rejected by Club Owners Association.
The 20 teams have been split into two equal groups, with Rivers United placed in Group B while Plateau United — who finished second last term — are in Group A.
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On the opening day, Rivers United will confront Lobi Stars at home, while Bayelsa United — who are making a return to the topflight after a seven-year absence — will be up against Dakkada.
Elsewhere, Enugu Rangers will do battle with Abia Warriors at home while Enyimba will play away to Nasarawa United.
The campaign — which is scheduled to end in May — will be concluded with a Super Six tournament, which will determine the winners and two other continental spots.
According to IMC, the Super Six will feature the top three teams from each group — and the champions will receive a prize of ₦100million.
Meanwhile, NPFL clubs have been warned against crowd trouble and any acts of violence at match centres.
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Speaking about measures to curb violence at match centres, IMC boss, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said teams could face a points deduction if they’re found guilty of violence.
The former Sunshine Stars supremo said: “Clubs have been informed to shun every act of violence during the course of the league.
“Any club which engage in violent conducts will not be sanctioned with ₦500,000.00 as was the case in the past, but three points will be deducted as punishment.
“We know what it means to have three points deducted from points already earned by a club in the league.”
THE GROUPS
Group A
Kwara United
Nasarawa United
Plateau United
Gombe United
El-Kanemi Warriors
Enyimba FC
Akwa United
Bendel Insurance
Shooting Stars
Remo Stars
Group B
Niger Tornadoes
Doma United
Wikki Tourists
Lobi Stars
Rivers United
Abia Warriors
Dakkada FC
Enugu Rangers
Sunshine Stars
Bayelsa United
MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES
Group 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
Group B
Bayelsa United vs Dakkada FC
Wikki Tourists vs Niger Tornadoes
Doma United vs Sunshine Stars
Rivers United vs Lobi Stars
Enugu Rangers vs Abia Warriors