Akwa Utd, Sunshine Stars, Others to Know Super 6 Fate May 21- IMC

Akwa Utd, Sunshine Stars, Others to Know Super 6 Fate May 21- IMC

By Gbenga Gboyega

The Interim Management Committee has released a statement via the social media declaring the 21st of May as the date for Matchday 18 of the 2023 Abridged NPFL season, BSNSports com. ng reports.

The statement which was posted on Facebook by the League's management body, tagged "IMC reschedules all Matchday 18 fixtures for May 21", was given harmonizing all games in both Groups A and B. 

Teams like Rivers United, Sunshine Stars, Doma United, and Wikki Tourists, have all played less than 17 games unlike the majority, and would need to complete their outstanding before the final day, to ensure all MatchDay 18 games are played at the same time on the same day. 

"Towards harmonizing fixtures in the two Groups of the ongoing 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has directed that all MatchDay 18 games would now be played on Sunday, May 21.

"In a letter informing the NPFL Clubs of the fixture rearrangement, the IMC also noted that Federation Cup games of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have also impacted the commencement of the Super 6 start date. 

"While regretting the disruption to the schedule of the clubs, the IMC said it has however afforded the league a window to harmonize the fixtures of the regular season end matches," the statement read. 

The Chairman of the (IMC), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye also clarified to the media on Thursday that the decision was to ensure that the regular season is concluded on the same date before the commencement of the Super Six round. 

"The MatchDay 18 fixtures in both Groups will have to be played on the same date and that would be after Rivers United have completed their outstanding matches by Thursday, May 18. 

"Outstanding matches involving Rivers United are MatchDay 12, 15, and 16 which have been scheduled for May 11, May 15, and May 18." 

Teams are still in the running to make the top three spots for their respective team with the likes of Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors in Group B, alongside Akwa United and Plateau in Group A eyeing any slip from the teams ahead of them on the table.

IMC Shifts MatchDay 18 Fixtures To May 21

Ibraheem Lateef

In a swift move to avoid a hitch as the season comes to its climax, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has directed that all MatchDay 18 games be played on Sunday, May 21, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

This according to the domestic league regulators is geared towards harmonizing fixtures in the two Groups of the ongoing 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

In a letter informing the NPFL Clubs of the fixture rearrangement, the IMC also noted that Federation Cup games of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have also impacted the commencement of the Super 6 start date. 

While regretting the disruption to the schedule of the clubs, the IMC said it has however afforded the league a window to harmonize the fixtures of the regular season-end matches.

Chairman of the (IMC), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye clarified that the decision was to ensure that the regular season is concluded on the same date before the commencement of the Super 6.

"The MatchDay 18 fixtures in both Groups will have to be played on the same date and that would be after Rivers United have completed their outstanding matches by Thursday, May 18", Elegbeleye told IMC Media early Thursday.

Outstanding matches involving Rivers United are MatchDay 12, 15, and 16 which have been scheduled for May 11, May 15, and May 18.

The defending Champions whose fixtures were affected by their CAF Confederation Cup campaign will play Sunshine Stars on Monday, May 15 in a rescheduled MatchDay 12 tie and Doma United on Thursday, May 18. Both games are in Port Harcourt.

Elegbeleye said, "The season-ending Super 6 will hold in Lagos and we don't want any Group to enjoy the advantage of an extended rest period after playing their last group games."