NPFL 2023 Season: Rangers vs Abia Warriors Headlines Matchday 1 Fixture

The oriental battle between Rangers of Enugu and Abia Warriors will headline the matchday 1 fixture as the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2023 season has been scheduled to start next month.

At a colourful draw ceremony held in Abuja Wednesday, defending champion Rivers United will host Lobi Stars while NPFL returnee, Shooting Stars will start life in the Nigerian topflight again in Jos as guest of Plateau United.

Another returnee, Bendel Insurance will travel to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state as guest of Akwa United.

Two-time CAF Champions League winner, Enyimba of Aba will play away at Nasarawa United while Kwara United will host Gombe United in Ibadan, their new home ground.

Chairman of the IMC, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye revealed that the organizers have secured a sponsor to foot the indemnities of match officials for the next three years, with the payments to be done directly from the company to the appointed match officials.

‘We are committed to eradicating the malaise of indebtedness to match officials, which compromises them and lowers their morale to do the right thing.

‘The IMC has also increased the winner’s prize for the season to the sum of N 100 Million, which is a hundred percent increase on what was in place previously.’

The Draw Ceremony grouped the 20 teams into two pools of A and B, with Matchday 1 set for 8th January 2023.

MATCHDAY 1 (A)

Nasarawa United Vs Enyimba FC

Akwa United Vs Bendel Insurance

Plateau United Vs Shooting Stars

Kwara United Vs Gombe United

Remo Stars Vs El-Kanemi Warriors

MATCHDAY 1 (B)

Bayelsa United Vs Dakkada FC

Wikki Tourists Vs Niger Tornadoes

Doma United Vs Sunshine Stars

Rivers United Vs Lobi Stars

Rangers Int’l Vs Abia Warriors