Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has confirmed the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season will begin on January 8, 2023 with the the abridged version.
Elegbeleye also confirmed the draws for the new season will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
Despite some of the clubs objecting to the abridge version of the league, Elegbeleye stated that IMC’s cannot go back on the decision to begin the season in two groups.
“Some club owners wanted the first top four teams to represent Nigeria for next season on the continent because they want the league to end in July,” Elegbeleye told reporters.
“The NFF advised we should go for an abridged league.
“A club chairman informed that his players want to rest because they played on the continent.
“The league will start on January 8 with draws for December 28 on 100% abridged format, any club not ready might decide to leave.”
Clubs will be divided into two groups of 10 teams each, with the top four teams from each group qualifying for the playoffs to decide league champions.
The IMC chairman also confirmed after the meeting the 2023 NPFL season will be broadcast live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), with cable networks expected to join in the broadcast.
He said, “The NPFL will be on NTA as we have an assurance from them. For cable network, it might not start with the first few matches but later on in the season.”
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