The ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) pre-season tournament in Jos, Plateau State, is aimed at helping Nigeria’s representatives in CAF club competitions improve their match fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the continental season.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Prince Davidson Owumi, said the league, in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), organised the tournament to complement the clubs’ individual pre-season programmes.
Speaking to reporters shortly after Tuesday’s fixture draw, Owumi said the timing of the NPFL season made competitive match preparation particularly important for the clubs involved in continental competitions.
“Considering that our season would be commencing a few days to the CAF Club matches, the NFF and NPFL resolved that it would benefit the clubs to have their players participate in a competitive tournament to further deepen their fitness and cohesion,” he said.
NPFL champions Rangers International, runners-up Rivers United and Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors are among the six teams taking part in the tournament.
They are joined by Plateau United and Mighty Jets, who received wild-card invitations as host-state representatives, while Katsina United were drafted in at short notice to replace Shooting Stars.
Owumi said the tournament’s format was designed to guarantee the clubs competing in continental competitions four matches, from the round-robin stage through to the final.
“We acknowledge the support of the NFF in securing the buy-in of the Plateau State Government to host the tournament,” he said.
He added that the league expected the participating clubs and their players to use the tournament to fine-tune their preparations and tactical plans ahead of their CAF campaigns.
Rivers United, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Mighty Jets featured on the opening matchday on Wednesday.
On Thursday, El-Kanemi Warriors will face Katsina United, while Rangers International will take on Rivers United.
The tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 23 August, with all matches being played at the New Jos Township Stadium.
