The newly refurbished Lafia City stadium, in the Capital of Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria, has now been selected by the Board of the Nigeria National League(NNL) to host the opening fixture of the 2023/2024 Season.
The opening game was earlier scheduled to hold at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa-Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, but the latest development has seen a change of venue from Uyo to Lafia.
Subsequently, the NNL leadership has fixed Saturday 11th November, 2023, as the new kick-off date .
Moreso, the opening duel(Star match) of the day is no longer between Dakkada FC and 1472 FC of Lagos, but now between Nasarawa United(The Solid Miners) and Zamfara United(The Masu Gari)
Nasarawa United and Zamfara United are housed in Group C alongside El-Kanemi Warriors, Yobe Desert Stars, Mighty Jets, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, last year’s Super 8 finalists, EFCC FC of Abuja, NAF FC also of Abuja and ABS of Ilorin.
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-based side, while Zamfara will start the quest for glory under veteran Coach, Alassan Mohammed.
Chief Operating Officer of the “Most Important League” in Nigeria, Dr.Ayo Abdulrahaman has admonished clubs to not only adhere to the tenets of fair play, but also play according to the stipulated NNL rules and regulations.
“The delay in kick-off was necessitated 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 for violence and any unsportsmanship conducts.
“Our matches will be streamed live and 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 will be prosecuted on Saturday, 18th November, 2023, at the approved Stadiums for the Season which will be communicated in due course.
Dr. Abdulrahaman hinted that the NNL Board has sent its best wishes to all the Clubs as the Season begins on the 11th.
