Former champions Plateau United will kickoff their campaign on away soil as the face Oluyole giant, 3SC of Ibadan in the Star match of the of Day 1 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Professional Football League season on September 9 across various venues in the country.
Interestingly, the 3SC versus Plateau United match is a reverse of the last season opening match.
In the draw conducted Tuesday evening at Sandralia Hotel in Abuja indicate that current champions, Enyimba FC will take on Bendel Insurance of Benin in another tricky tie.
Other pairings include, Lobi Stars versus Heartland in Makurdi, new entrant to the league Sporting Lagos versus Gombe United, Rangers International versus Doma United, it will a united affairs as Katsina United trade tackles with Kwara United, while Akwa United will face Bayelsa United in Yenogoa in what promises to be tantaliser.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars will try newly promoted Kano Pillars for size.
The colourful draws has the likes of ex-international Victor Ikpeba, Chikelu Iloenyosi former Sports Ministry top shot Alhaji Abba Yola in attendance.
Preceding the draws was the Annual General Meeting of the NPFL, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau berated the way and manner the country representatives in CAF competition ,Enyimba and Remo stars crashed out of the tournament as very disheartening and unpalatable.
He urged the leadership of the league body led by Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye to run a credible and transparent football season.
“Take serious critical issues that affect football in the country. Tackle them with sincerity and run football as a business with the new policy of the federal government. The NFF will provide all the necessary support that’s needed.
Hon Elegbeleye disclosed that several of the matches will be stream live with a lot of innovation on the cards to make the NPFL one of the best league in the world.