NPFL suspends fixture schedule for Rivers United outstanding matches

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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures would be suspended after Matchday 32 on Sunday, April 28.

The break is to enable Rivers United play their six outstanding NPFL games which piled up due to their involvement in the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup.

Rivers United were the only Nigerian side left on the continent at the start of 2024 and crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup in the quarter-final stage of the competition after their defeat to current champions, USM Alger of Algeria.

Secretary, NPFL Club Owners Association and chairman of Sporting Lagos, Godwin Enakhena, confirmed the decision on Thursday, adding that it was in the best interest of the league.

“The decision to suspend other matches to allow Rivers United play their outstanding games was made by the league managers and we are all in support. The club owners didn’t have to press that because it was the right thing to do and it was done. Don’t forget that this is the crucial stage of the league,” Enakhena told our correspondent.

“The Gbenga Elegbeleye-led NPFL board has a very difficult job to do and they’re doing their best to ensure that we have a league we all will be very proud of but there are human challenges that they’re battling with and so far, I’ll give them a pass mark.”

The 2022 NPFL champions are currently sitting in the 17th spot on the league table with 34 points in 24 matches.

The Port Harcourt-owned club will play their outstanding games in the league during the forthcoming break.

After their game against current table-toppers, Enugu Rangers on Sunday, they will take on Bayelsa United next week, and then games against Remo Stars, Katsina United, Niger Tornadoes, Abia Warriors, Kwara United, and Sunshine Stars will follow.

Afterward, the 2023-2024 NPFL season will return to its regular fixtures with 6 matchdays left before the season comes to an end.

Based on the initial NPFL calendar, the 2023-2024 season was expected to come to an end on June 9, 2024. But that might not be possible due to the break that will start after matchday 32.

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