NPFL: IMC Readjusts Season Fixtures, Lifts Ban On Shooting Stars

The Nigeria Professional Football League has rescheduled several fixtures in the 2022/2023 football season.

Home matches involving the three clubs based in the Southeast States will kick off at 3pm on Sunday.

A statement from the Interim Management Committee (IMC) directed all the clubs to take note of the fixture adjustments and comply.

The IMC also announced the lifting of the ban on Shooting Stars playing with fans in attendance at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

Shooting Stars fans were banned from attending matches last season following repeated violent incidents occasioning attacks on Match Officials and club players and officials at the stadium.

A memo circulated to clubs and signed by Davidson Owumi, the Head of Operations of the IMC, read, “Please be informed that effective from the MatchDay 1 fixtures scheduled to hold on 14th and 15th January 2023 ,all weekend fixtures taking place in the Southeastern part of the country will now kickoff at 3:00pm on Sundays.

“Consequently, the home matches of Abia Warriors FC, Enyimba Int’l FC, and Rangers Int’l FC will take place as scheduled above.

“All clubs, officials and related stakeholders are hereby put on notice”, the circular stated.

Also confirming the adjustment Media Officer of Nasarwa United, Eche Amos, in a Post on the club’s social media accounts wrote;

“This is to inform our esteemed fans and concerned stakeholders that our 2022/23 Abridged Group ‘A’ Nigeria Professional Football League match-day one fixture earlier scheduled for Sunday, 8th January, 2023 against visiting Enyimba FC of Aba at the New Jos Stadium, Plateau State, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, 14th January, 2023, with the venue remaining the same. Kick-off time is 4pm.”

Plateau United will welcome 3SC of Ibadan in Jos, Kwara United will battle Gombe United at their adoptive home of Ibadan, and Remo Stars will take on El-Kaneni Warriors of Maiduguri in Ikenne.

In Group B, Enugu Rangers and Abia Warriors will compete in an Oriental Derby, while Bayelsa United and Dakkada will engage in a South-South derby in Yenagoa.

Wikki Tourists welcome the Niger Tornadoes to Bauchi, while Doma United entertain Sunshine Stars. Rivers United and Lobi Stars conclude group play