Afolabi Peter, Ibadan
Ahead of the resumption of the 2020/2021 Nigeria professional football league (NPFL) season, participating clubs in the league across the country have been seen making necessary preparations and planning ahead as they prepare to welcome the new season, the new season which will kick off on December 6th.
According to reports the 2020/2021 season will feature the same set of teams that participated in the 2019/2020 season as no team got relegated or Promoted as a result of the Suspension of the league due to the outbreak of the COVID19 Pandemenic in the country.
In preparation for the commencement of the league ,the league management company (LMC) had earlier released a guidelines for the licensing and registration for clubs alongside the fixtures of the matches and the venues.
In preparation towards the set date for the commencement of the season various football clubs have however fix a resumption date for the commencement of their trainings , in line with this development the 20 clubs that will be competing for honour when the league eventually resumes are busy preparing for the new season with most of them taking parts in the pre – season tournaments, such as the Governor Masari pre season, Governor Nyesom wike pre season, ogunjobi gold cup, Dapo Abiodun cup among others.
In the meantime, clubs like Rangers international club of Enugu is also making preparation ahead for the competition with reports which shows the managements of the clubs to have been putting things in place in terms of relevant certifications from the health sectors, security, safety and environment agencies in other to ensure a hitch free season. Report also revealed that the club have also embarked on deco termination exercise of the stadium in anticipation for the commencement of the league , the club has also embarked on the signing of high profile players as well as the acquirement of the club new Jersey for the coming season.
Nasarawa united has also been confirmed to be in camp taking part in pre season tournament ahead of the league resumption through the report gathered from the media officer of the team Eche Amos.
Another reports gathered from the camp of the Abia warriors has shown the readiness of the team towards the commencement of the new season with the team having made eight (8) new signings and dropping 5 out of their current players , the team have also began their pre season tournament under the new coach Imama Amapakabo.
In another development ,the Akwa united football club of Uyo have also deconterminate the teams camp/office space as the team continue to put things in place ahead of the resumption , report gathered also shows that the team have also embarked on the renegotiation of players contract in other to review the term of contract and the signings of new player as well as the undergoing of medical examination by players.
News from the MFM camp has revealed that the team is still undergoing a selection process of players in other to have a perfect team , according to the coach of the team Tony Bolus he described his team as a work in progress which will be ready anytime soon.
Report from the camp of the Eyimba international of Aba through their head coach Fatai Osho indicates that the team is going through recruitment process in other to bring in quality players .
Also in preparation for the coming season the Ondo state government has embarked on the renovation of the Akure stadium and putting thing s into the rightful place in other to ensure that the sunshine stars of Akure home matches for the coming season are played at the venue which is getting a new form.
The general report form the other football clubs has shown the level of their readiness toward the new season as they embark on pre season tournament and activities which will make them have a successful season.
However just Like every other football team across the globe the league management company LMC has approved a new rule that will enable them to use five substitute in the coming season , the rule however will be useful in easing the demands of fixture congestion on squads who have playing matches in a short space of time.
According to the LMC Boss, Shehu Dikko has believed that the 5 man substitution will help them mitigate against any potential hazard to the player in the NPFL.
With the series of development and the current level of readiness towards the various preparations embarked on by the managements of the NPFL football clubs , it is believed that the season will be one to watch out for with much excitement.
Meanwhile, Rivers United, Kano pillars, Enyimba and Plateau united will begin their continental engagements this weekend.
