The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) curtain raiser fixture in Ibadan will be the only game to be held on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will be hosting former champions, Plateau United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan on Saturday, September 9.
The NPFL Boss, Gbenga Elegbeleye noted that the decision was also necessitated by the Super Eagles match on Sunday, September 10 in Uyo.
“Some of our clubs prefer playing their home matches on Sundays to attract a full house of fans and we cannot start from the first day to have scattered fixtures hence all other games apart from the curtain raiser have been moved to the following weekend”, he added.
Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye told the NPFL Media that the decision is consistent with the tradition established last season under the then Interim Management Committee (IMC).
“Remember that last season’s opening day fixture was the match in Uyo between Akwa United and Bendel Insurance. The other nine fixtures were played the following weekend and it is one of the traditions we are bringing into the new league era”, remarked Elegbeleye who is now the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by virtue of the football statutes.