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As it stands, the duo of Bendel Insurance and Lobi Stars lead both Groups A and B.
Head of Operations of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), Davidson Owumi has reiterated that it was important for the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season to be played in an abridged format.
In comparison to previous seasons, the 2023 NPFL see saw 20 teams drawn into two groups of 10, with the top three teams in each group, expected to vie for the ultimate crown in a Super 6 playoff.
What happened the last time there was an abridged NPFL season?
As it stands, the duo of Bendel Insurance and Lobi Stars lead both Groups A and B.
2023 NPFL season, a child of circumstance
Speaking in an interview with TheNation, Owumi stated with the way the 2023 season was set up, the league would be wrapped in time to be synchronized with continental competitions.
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"The abridge league was a child of circumstance," the IMC official said to TheNation. "A lot of events that we had last year from the NFF elections to the dissolution of the league board took a lot of time off the normal programme of the league, and the necessity for us to align our league with the rest in the continent and the world.
"You finish the league in September or October, and the Champions League is already on. It does not leave room for players to transfer and for players to even have time to go for trials and look for new clubs.
"It has a way of disrupting club activities and so, we thought we could align our calendar with the rest of the world."
Abridged format to help with consistency - Owumi
While speaking more on the importance of the abridged format for the 2023 season, Owumi stated confidently that from next season, the NPFL would kick off in August.
"Beginning from next season, our league would kick off in August, and it becomes a regular thing and helps in the commercialization aspect of the league.
"It also brings consistency to the system. People will be aware that so time Nigerian league will end and it will begin at some time. So, you can make your projection for three, four years," he added.
The 2023 NPFL season which has been on a three-week break due to the Nigerian general elections, is expected to make a return on Wednesday, March 22.
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