Following the lifting of restrictions on football activities in the country, the Nigeria Professional Football clubs have expressed their readiness to vie for honours in the 2020/21 league season.
It will be recalled that the League Management Company (LMC) had proposed that the new season should begin on November 15 and end in June 2021, all things being equal.
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Considering that there was a marginal decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the LMC had initially set September for the kick-off of the league, but the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 ‘refused’ then to lift the ban on contact sports for fear of an upsurge in COVID-19 cases.
It will be recalled that the LMC had on August 6 sent a memo to all the 20 clubs with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) / Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Licensing requirements.
The LMC had while noting as at then that the Federal Government was yet to lift the ban on football activities as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, urged the clubs to begin to put in place those requirements that can be achieved within the period the lockdown was relaxed.
According to the statement from the LMC, a number of the clubs’ leaders had affirmed that they are already working to meet the requirements, especially in the area of stadium facilities, safety, and security, medical, technical and financial.
However, on October 15, the PTF agreed to lift the ban, but with some conditions such as obeying the COVID-19 protocols.
With this cheering news, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had an Executive Committee meeting held via video conference where they endorsed the proposal from LMC for the new season to commence on November 15.
The football body also asked the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women’s Football League and Nationwide League One “to synchronise their calendars with that of the NPFL with each of them commencing within three weeks of the elite League”.
Despite the directive from the NFF, there is no guarantee that the 2020 NPFL season is going to commence on November 15 as proposed by the LMC.
The proposed date is a few days away, but there is nothing to suggest that the LMC is ready to kick-start the league.
However, the 20 clubs that will be competing for honours when the league eventually resumes are busy preparing for the new season. Most are taking part in pre-season tournaments around the country.
As the maiden edition of Governor Masari Pre-season tournament ends today at the Muhammadu Dikko stadium in Katsina, action will shift to Port-Harcourt where the Governor Nyesom Wike Pre-season tournament is taking place.
The Coach of Heartland FC, Fidelis Ilechukwu, said the ‘Naze millionaires’ are prepared for action this coming season. He added that his players are already in camp.
He further stated that his mission is to remain in top flight football and if results go their way, to represent the nation at the continental level.
“Nigerians should expect quality football and we try as much as we can to get the desired results. We opened our camp on Wednesday and we know there are challenges. Football is all about challenges.
“We make sure that the team does not go into relegation. We need to do a lot of work to make sure that Heartland football club is where it should be.
“The truth is that I am trying to make sure the players are focused on their careers not on the leadership crisis in the club. When there is no disagreement, there will be no agreement. So what has happened is normal in football but now there is peace and more understanding, he said.
On his part, Wikki Tourist coach, Usman Abdallah said after successfully participating in a pre-season tourney in Jigawa and in Katsina, he is confident his wards would give a good account of themselves whenever the league resumes.
“We target to win the league just like every other team. We want to secure a continental ticket. We are hoping to have a very good season. Every team has the ambition to win the league, so let’s see what happens during the season,” he said.
In the same vein, the Team Manager of Enugu Rangers, Amobi Ezeaku said the club is prepared for the coming season in terms of the relevant certifications from health, security, safety and environment agencies.
“Rangers have always been at the forefront of ensuring that Club Licensing requirements are met.”
He further disclosed that the camp of the club has already undergone phases of decontamination as well regularly maintaining and decontaminating the stadium from time to time in anticipation of commencement.
“Once the players are back the necessary medical tests would be carried out with reports submitted to the appropriate authorities”, he said.
Ezeaku said the club has received the assurances of the funders, the Enugu State government on provision of the financial guarantees through a Letter of Financial Guarantee that would be submitted at the appropriate time.
Nasarawa United media officer, Eche Amos said the club is primed for action as they are also in camp.
According to him, the club has been involved in a series of pre-season matches to ensure the players who have been inactive for several months are fit for the season.
“We have been involved in a series of pre-season games and the players are ready to resume action this coming season.
“As you know, we didn’t perform too well last season, but I am very certain this season we will do well. We will not be involved in continental matches, meaning that our players will be fit for the season baring any form of injury,” he said.
Meanwhile, the coaches have welcomed the new rule that will see them use five substitutes in the season.
Abd’Allah, said the new substitution rule is in line with other major leagues in the world, saying the clubs are ready to abide by it.
“It’s a good one because that’s what they are doing in other leagues. If it’s approved by FIFA, then it’s okay. I don’t think they created the rules on their own.”
“For me, we are ready to follow the rule of the LMC. So, the five-man sub is a welcome development,” Abd’Allah said.
Also, Nasarawa United technical adviser, Bala Nikyu, noted that the rule would create room for more players to showcase their talents.
“I must commend the LMC for this new development. The rule will favour all the clubs and most of the players who find it difficult to play in the league will now have time to showcase their talents. Even the players are happy with the development,” he said.
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