LMC Announces New Resumption Date For NPFL …As Coaches Lament

The League Management Company has announced May 21 as the new resumption date for the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League season.
In a statement, Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer said the two weeks shift from earlier scheduled date of May 7 was in view of concluding the rescheduled matches involving Enugu Rangers and Rivers United.
“We also have deemed it right to accommodate the State Federation Cup finals which obviously will feature some of the NPFL Clubs”, Abubakar said.
“We didn’t think it would be appropriate for the clubs to carry over their first stanza fixtures into the second round.’’
Both teams, who were dropped out from the Caf Championship League to the Caf Confederation Cup, with only Rivers United reaching the group phase have varying outstanding games.
In a related development, Abubakar confirmed that Rivers United will host Remo Stars on Wednesday, May 3, today while Rangers will welcome Plateau United in another rescheduled match.
Meanwhile, Niger Tornadoes coach, Bala Abubakar says that the new resumption date set for the second round of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League may affect plans of clubs.
With topflight teams busy with FA Cup actions, the League Management Company announced May 21 as the new date for the commencement of the concluding part of the campaign.
And Abubakar is concerned about how such decision is likely to set clubs back.
“It’s not always good to disrupt the dates on the league’s calendar,” Bala our source .
“You know plans are based and structured around the calendar and it’s important to work within the set time frame but when dates are changed it becomes a big worry.
“Although it may give one more time, it may also affect the plans of clubs in the league,” he added.
“Nevertheless, we have taken it as it’s said and we shall make good use of the time we have. We’ve had two main departures from Niger Tornadoes and we already made the proper replacement.”