NFF, NPFL Organise Jos Pre-season Tournament Ahead Of CAF Club Competitions
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have organised a pre-season tournament in Jos, Plateau State, to help Nigeria’s representatives prepare adequately for their upcoming CAF club competitions.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Prince Davidson Owumi, said the tournament was designed to provide participating teams with competitive match exposure and improve their fitness, cohesion and tactical readiness ahead of the continental season.
Owumi explained that the tournament became necessary because the new domestic league season is scheduled to commence only a few days before the CAF club competitions.
“Considering that our season would be commencing a few days to the CAF club matches, the NFF and NPFL resolved that it would benefit the clubs to have their players participate in a competitive tournament to further deepen their fitness and cohesion,” he said.
NPFL champions Rangers International, runners-up Rivers United and Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors are among the clubs taking part in the tournament.
Host representatives Plateau United and Mighty Jets were handed wild-card invitations, while Katsina United were drafted into the competition at short notice following the withdrawal of Shooting Stars.
According to Owumi, the tournament format guarantees Nigeria’s continental representatives four competitive matches, from the round-robin stage through to the final.
He also acknowledged the support of the NFF in securing the cooperation of the Plateau State Government to host the tournament.
“We acknowledge the support of the NFF in securing the buy-in of the Plateau State Government to host the tournament, and it is our expectation to see the clubs and their players take advantage of the platform to fine-tune their match preparations and plans going into the competition,” Owumi added.
Rivers United, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Mighty Jets featured on the opening matchday on Wednesday.
On Thursday, El-Kanemi Warriors will face Katsina United, while Rangers International will take on Rivers United.
All matches are being played at the New Jos Township Stadium, with the final scheduled for Sunday, August 23.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Prince Davidson Owumi, said the tournament was designed to provide participating teams with competitive match exposure and improve their fitness, cohesion and tactical readiness ahead of the continental season.
Owumi explained that the tournament became necessary because the new domestic league season is scheduled to commence only a few days before the CAF club competitions.
“Considering that our season would be commencing a few days to the CAF club matches, the NFF and NPFL resolved that it would benefit the clubs to have their players participate in a competitive tournament to further deepen their fitness and cohesion,” he said.
NPFL champions Rangers International, runners-up Rivers United and Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors are among the clubs taking part in the tournament.
Host representatives Plateau United and Mighty Jets were handed wild-card invitations, while Katsina United were drafted into the competition at short notice following the withdrawal of Shooting Stars.
According to Owumi, the tournament format guarantees Nigeria’s continental representatives four competitive matches, from the round-robin stage through to the final.
He also acknowledged the support of the NFF in securing the cooperation of the Plateau State Government to host the tournament.
“We acknowledge the support of the NFF in securing the buy-in of the Plateau State Government to host the tournament, and it is our expectation to see the clubs and their players take advantage of the platform to fine-tune their match preparations and plans going into the competition,” Owumi added.
Rivers United, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Mighty Jets featured on the opening matchday on Wednesday.
On Thursday, El-Kanemi Warriors will face Katsina United, while Rangers International will take on Rivers United.
All matches are being played at the New Jos Township Stadium, with the final scheduled for Sunday, August 23.
