With the much anticipated Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) set to kick start in the new year, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has released a list of stadia fitting to host fixtures in the coming season.
The IMC on Thursday released fixtures for Matchday 1 and venues for the games for the 2022/23 season of the NPFL.
However, 5 clubs of the NPFL have failed to meet the infrastructure requirements of the NPFL Club Licensing regulation and will be hosting their home matches at venues approved by the IMC
Rangers International of Enugu, Kwara United of Ilorin, Niger Tornadoes of Minna, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Nasarawa United of Lafia are the clubs who failed to provide the required standard stadium facilities to host matches as stipulated in the Club Licensing.
In the season’s draw made by the IMC Thursday, in group A, Nasarawa United will entertain Enyimba on MatchDay 1 at the New Jos Township Stadium while Kwara United will take on Gombe United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Other Group A fixtures will see Akwa United facing Bendel Insurance at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Plateau United will share loins with shooting Stars at the Jos Township Stadium and Remo Stars face El- Kanemi Warriors at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
In Group B, Rangers International will take on Abia Warriors at the Awka City Stadium as Bayelsa United meet with Dakkada at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa, Wikki Tourists host Niger Tornadoes at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Doma vs Sunshine Stars at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe and Cup holders, Rivers United vs Lobi Stars at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The Head of Operations of the IMC, Davidson Owumi noted that, in strict adherence to the provisions of the NPFL Club Licensing Regulation, clubs that fail the requirements will be held accountable.
“ We want to get it right from the start and this can only be achieved when the rules are followed,” he quipped.
The season is scheduled to kick off on January 8 following the draw ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday, December 28.