The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super Six Championship round matches, scheduled from May 23, 2023, basis Interim Management Committee's (IMC) last order, will now run from June 2 – 11, 2023.
IMC said the Super Six playoffs will feature three matches daily at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. The committee added that the change was to allow the completion of zonal Federation Cup matches. The finals of the Federation Cup have been rescheduled until after the Super Six Championship.
Last week, the committee rescheduled all Matchday 18 games to harmonize fixtures in the two groups of the ongoing 2022/23 NPFL season. It directed that Matchday 18 games be played on May 21.
🎙️The IMC of NPFL has announced new date for @domaunitedfc matchday 1️⃣6️⃣ & 1️⃣8️⃣..@RiversUnitedFC will host @domaunitedfc for their matchday 1️⃣6️⃣ on 18/05/23@AbiaWarriors will host @domaunitedfc for their matchday 1️⃣8️⃣ on 21/05/23#NPFL23 https://t.co/v3hlVF70AL
— BROADCASTER FOR NPFL 🎙️🎙️⚽️⚽️ (@LPP_Nino) May 10, 2023
In a letter informing the NPFL clubs of the fixture rearrangement, the IMC also noted that Federation Cup games of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) impacted the commencement of the Super Six start date.
IMC Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, clarified that the decision was to ensure that the regular season concludes on the same date before the commencement of the Super Six.
He said: “The MatchDay 18 fixtures in both groups will have to be played on the same date and that would be after Rivers United have completed their outstanding matches by Thursday, May 18.”
The remaining matches involving Rivers United are Matchday 12, 15 and 16, scheduled for May 11, 15, and 18, respectively. Rivers United, whose fixtures were affected by their CAF Confederation Cup campaign, will play Sunshine Stars later today in a rescheduled Matchday 12 tie and Doma United on May 18. Both games will be played at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
OFFICIAL: Day to day activities for the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Super 6 has been released by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) with a kick off date of June 3 and final day of Sunday, June 11.
🏟️: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos. #NPFL23 pic.twitter.com/1XeB1yD1et
— FAVOUR ITUA (@SportPaparazzi1) May 15, 2023
IMC boss Elegbeleye said: “The season-ending Super Six will hold in Lagos and we don’t want any group to enjoy the advantage of extended rest period after playing their last group games.”
The IMC fixing a new date for the resumption of the Super Six Championship round from May 23 affected NPFL clubs. They were not happy with the development timeline, sighting it will be difficult for teams who'll play away matches on Matchday 18. They'd get two days to prepare and travel to Lagos for the Super Six on May 23.
IMC's shift in the date has given all NPFL clubs enough time to prepare for the June 2 through 11th Championship showdown in Lagos.
In Group A of the NPFL abridged 2022/2023 season, all teams have played 17 games. Unbeaten Bendel Insurance, Enyimba, and Remo Stars are 1st, 2nd and 3rd on 33, 31 and 30 points, respectively. As things stand, they'll represent Group A in the Super Six.
In Group B, Lobi Stars, Rivers United, and Doma United stay 1st, 2nd and 3rd on 30, 27, and 26 points, respectively. Unless something changes drastically, these teams will represent Group B in the Super Six Championship round scheduled in June.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
