League body postpones games for Yuletide
The Nigeria Premier
League (NPL) has moved all Week 8 matches of the Nigerian top flight
division, originally scheduled for December 25 and 26, to Wednesday,
January 5, 2011.
According to a
statement issued on Wednesday by the acting Executive Secretary of the
NPL, Tunji Babalola, the matches were moved to the first Wednesday of
2011 in order to make room for the Christmas and Boxing Day festivities.
Top of the bill of
matches that would have taken place during the period is the Eastern
derby between league champions, Enyimba and Rangers scheduled for
Boxing Day at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
New homes for Kwara and Bukola Babe
Meanwhile, Kwara
United and Bukola Babes have secured new venues for their home matches
after the NPL ordered them away from the Offa Township Stadium.
Both clubs
previously shared the stadium but the facility, especially the playing
surface, is incapable of withstanding the pressure that comes from the
rigours of hosting Premier League matches week in, week out.
The NPL, following
last Saturday’s encounter between Kwara United and Heartland, issued a
72 hour ultimatum to both clubs to provide alternative venues to host
their home games.
As a result, Kwara
United will now play their home matches at the Gateway International
Stadium in Ogun State, while Bukola Babes will play their home matches
at the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna, home ground of Niger Tornadoes.
There is however
the possibility that both sides will return to their home state of
Kwara, especially if rehabilitation work at the Ilorin International
Sports Complex is completed at some point during the course of the
season.
Both sides have had mixed fortunes in the five-week-old season with
Kwara United perched on the 11th spot while Bukola Babes, playing in
the Premier League for the first time, are one spot away from the
bottom of the table.
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