2023/2024 NPFL kick-off date announced
Date for the kick-off of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League season has been announced by the newly inaugurated chairman of the NPFL Board Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
According to Elegbeleye after the Inauguration of the board by the Nigeria Football Federation – NFF on Wednesday July 26, the 2023/2024 NPFL season will begin on August 26, 2023.
“The kick off-date is definite, we have taken that will ensure the smooth sailing of the new season with the intention to align with the European season. We hope the season ends on schedule with consideration of other football programs of the Nigeria Football Federation,” Elegbeleye said.
“Last season, the league winners got N100 million as prize money. This season, we are offering an improved package of N150 million with some of the prize money earmarked for facility improvement and players’ welfare. We want every club to update their stadia and improve their players’ remuneration for better performance
“All the stadia classified as unfit to host NPFL matches remain banned, subject to inspection while that of the newly promoted clubs will also be inspected before the season starts. Any stadium that doesn’t meet the set standard will not be allowed to host any league game.”
On the performance and welfare of match officials, the NPFL board Chairman said that he is hoping that referees who did very well last season would do better this season, adding that the success of last season was majorly due to the prompt payment of indemnities and allowances of referees and other match officials.
“All through last season, we ensured that match officials got their dues two days before a game. We shall continue like that this season and will not hesitate to recommend any referee found wanting to the appropriate authorities for disciplinary actions,” Elegbeleye concluded.
Enyimba International FC are reigning Nigeria Professional League champions and have since received their 100 million naira prize money.
