Nigeria Content Online

Post election crisis
in some parts of the country has forced yet another postponement in the
commencement date for the second half of the Nigeria Premier League
(NPL).

Matches in the
troubled league were originally set to kick off on Wednesday April 20
across the country, but the leadership of the league said it was no
longer safe to start the league in light of the clashes that have
followed on the heels of last weekend’s presidential election.

The acting chairman
of the league, Shehu Gusau, stated that a new date would be communicated
once the situation improves. “Most of the clubs complained that it was
not safe for their teams to be travelling around now until the security
situation improves. So we have decided to put the league on hold for
now,” he said. The league has been on break for over six weeks. Dolphins
FC is currently the leading team with 43 points, closely followed by
Sunshine Stars.

Sponsorship deal

Still without a
title sponsor, the league has also been enmeshed in a leadership crisis
that has seen the former elected chairman of the league’s board,
Davidson Owumi, edged out of his seat. Mr Owumi is currently in court to
challenge his removal and attempts to stop him from re-contesting for
the position he previously held.

Despite its many troubles, the NPL’s drive at improving the league
has been yielding results. In line with this, fifteen clubs ‑ Gombe Utd
FC, Kwara Utd FC, Kaduna Utd FC, Warri Wolves FC, Crown FC, Bukola Babes
FC, Niger Tornadoes FC, Ocean Boys FC, Sunshine Stars FC, Lobi Stars
FC, Plateau Utd FC, JUTH FC, Sharks FC, Dolphin FC, and Zamfara Utd FC ‑
interested in a kitting pact with Massita B.V. will be signing the
partnership agreement between the NPL and Massita B.V. shortly.