Gusau, Elegbeleye In Uyo For 2023 NPFL Opener

Gusau, Elegbeleye In Uyo For 2023 NPFL Opener

By Niyi Busari

President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau and Chairman, Interim Management Committee (IMC) Gbenga Elegbeleye will be among the dignitaries that we watch the 2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener between the hosts, Akwa United and new comers, Bendel Insurance on Sunday, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Gusau and Elegbeleye had on Thursday in Abuja handed Ten Million naira (N10 million) kick off grants to each NPFL side to alleviate the burden of their financial constraint.

The first match of the season, according to Media Rights owner, GTI Group, would be shown on TV.

The NFF president and Chairman of IMC would arrive Uyo on Sunday morning aboard Ibom Air.

At the draws conducted by the league organizers, the IMC in Abuja, the 2021 champions Akwa United were drawn in Group A alongside two former champions Enyimba International and Plateau United as well as two newly promoted sides Insurance of Benin and Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri for the new season.

Other teams in Group A are, Remo Stars, Nasarawa United, Kwara United, Gombe United, and Shooting Stars Sports Club.

The league organizers had earlier informed that the 2022-23 NPFL season will be played in an abridged format to ensure the country’s premier league calendar is in line with CAF football calendar. The league winners would smile to bank with one hundred million naira (N100m) as winners prize

Clubs in Group B are the reigning champions Rivers United, 2016 champions Enugu Rangers, Dakkada FC, Wikki Tourists, Sunshine Stars, Niger Tornadoes, Abia Warriors, Lobi Stars and newly promoted Bayelsa United and Doma FC.

Akwa United’s first Round matches as follows;

Matchday 1: Akwa United Vs Insurance

Matchday 2: Enyimba Vs Akwa United

Matchday 3: Nasarawa United Vs Akwa United

Matchday 4: Akwa United Vs Plateau United

Matchday 5: Kwara United Vs Akwa United

Matchday 6: Akwa United Vs Remo Stars

Matchday 7: El Kanemi Vs Akwa United

Matchday 8: Akwa United Vs Gombe United

Matchday 9: Shooting Stars Vs Akwa United