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‘A Child Of Necessity’: NFF Defends Abridged Nigerian League Format

The body believes the move will help clubs and players.


NFF chief Ibrahim Gusau.

 

 

The Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau has defended the abridged format of this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The NFF chief argued that aligning Nigeria’s football calendar with that of the established leagues will aid its growth.

“The issue of playing an abridged league is a child of necessity. We are talking with people that are going to bring money into the league and they want us to make sure that at least we take back our league to the way it is being run in other parts of the world,” he said in Abuja on Thursday during the presentation of N200 million to NPFL teams.

“Therefore, we need to take certain actions before we can get there. Ending our league in May does not mean it stops there. That is not the only issue. The issue here is that we must start next season by August. There is no going back about it.”

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While further justifying the move, he said it will afford the players opportunities to go for trials in other parts of the world especially Europe. The abridged league format will also help the footballers take a well-deserved rest before the new season, Gusau said, adding that it will also give clubs the opportunity to prepare for continental competitions.

“So, it is not about anybody or team but trying to do things right,” the NFF chief explained.

The new season will begin on January 8th with Akwa United welcoming newcomers Bendel Insurance.