Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) chairmen met with the leadership of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) on Monday in Lagos to ratify the outcome of the 2022/23 season which will pave the way for the names of the three top clubs to be forwarded to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The three clubs in order of placement are: Enyimba, Remo Stars and Rivers United. They are to represent Nigeria in the CAF club competitions starting in August.
While Enyimba and Remo Stars are to play in the CAF Champions League, Rivers United will be joined by the winners of the Federation Cup to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup. Bendel Insurance and Rangers are in the final of that competition.
The IMC presented the results, table and goals scored to the club managers, who unanimously adopted it by voice vote
Led by Chief Okechukwu Kpalukwu of Rivers United and Tunde Ogujah of Sunshine Stars, the clubs commended the IMC for the success of the regular season and the play-off.
“There were challenges at the start but we are delighted that over time, the IMC stabilised and gave us a league every Nigerian is proud of”, Ogunja remarked.
IMC Chairman, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye thanked the clubs for their cooperation in the course of the season which, he said, was a learning curve for the league body.
“We ran an abridged format of the season to conform with the CAF and FIFA calendar which entails completing the league by May and June to start the new season by August
“We are not unaware of the strain on the clubs in terms of logistics and personnel. It is very well appreciated that you cooperated with us to complete the season”, Elegbeleye stated.
The detailed results and statistics of the NPFL championship play-off was presented to the clubs’ officials by IMC’s Head of Operations, Davidson Owumi, who explained that the meeting was called within a short notice in order to meet the NFF mandate to conclude the season and submit names of eligible clubs.
Also present were Enyimba Chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, who is also NFF’s First Vice President, Rt. Hon Tunde Olaniyan of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Abubakar Danfulani of Gombe United, Remo Stars Managing Director, Lukman Ogungbefun, and Barrister Ferdinand Chukwuemeka of Rangers, amongst others.
Last Sunday, Enyimba edged the rest five teams to clinch a historical ninth league title after ending on nine points at the championship play-off at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
