NPFL: Rivers begin title defence against Lobi

Defending champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League, Rivers United, will begin its quest for another title against Lobi Stars of Makurdi in the 2022/23 season as the draws for the much-debated abridged league was conducted in Abuja on Wednesday, PUCH Sports Extra reports.

There have been hot exchanges between the Interim Management Committee of the league and the clubs over the format of the Nigerian topflight which it previous season ended in July.

At the event held in Abuja, the 20 clubs were divided into two groups of 10 teams each as the league will commence on January 8, 2023, and end in May as projected by the IMC.

Group A of the abridged league has Kwara United, Nasarawa United headed by the chairman of the kicking club owners; Isaac Danladi, last season’s runners-up Plateau United, newly promoted sides Gombe United, Bendel Insurance as well as El Kanemi Warriors, eight times champion Enyimba Intl, 2021 champions Akwa United, Shooting Stars and Remo Stars.

In Group B, defending champions Rivers United will be joined by Niger Tornadoes, newly promoted sides Doma United and Bayelsa United, Wikki Tourists, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Dakkada FC. Rangers Intl. and Sunshine Stars.

According to the proposal of the IMC, a super six play-off between the top three clubs in each group at the end of regular season will determine the champions of the season.

The 2022/23 NPFL winners will earn N100m while all the clubs will be given a take off grant of N10m each.