…As league kicks off Nov 11
By Francis Ajuonuma
The newly refurbished Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State has been selected to host the opening fixture of the 2023-2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
The opening game was earlier scheduled to hold at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State but was withheld due to logistic reason.
However the NNL leadership has now fixed Saturday 11 November, 2023 as the new kick off date.
The opening duel (Star match) of the day will be between Nasarawa United “The Solid Miners” and Zamfara United “The Masu Gari”.
NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman has admonished clubs to not only adhere to the tenents of fair play but also play according to the stipulated NNL rules and regulations.
“While we apologize for the delay in kick off which was neccessites by situations beyond our control, we must warn all clubs of the need to be professional enough, keeping intact the good image of the league.”
“We have zero tolerance to violence and any behavior that will bring the game to disrepute.”
“Our matches will be closely monitored as we will be sending Compliant Officers across all venues. We expect the best and a grand opening game. We are working hard to raise the standard,”he noted.
Dr. Abdulrahaman further said only the match at the Lafia City Stadium will take place on match day one and that other games of the first week would be prosecuted on Saturday November 18, 2023 at the approved stadiums for the season which will be communicated in due course.
Dr. Abdulrahaman stressed that the NNL board has sent it’s best wishes to all the Clubs as the season begins on the 11th.
Nasarawa United will be playing under a new coach Usman Adams recently confirmed to be in charge after many years of serving as Assistant to the Lafia side, while Zamfara will start the quest for glory under veteran coach Alhassan Muhammed.
