Photo: R-L…Nigeria National League (NNL) Chairman, George Aluo, board member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Hon Margret Icheen and Plateau State Sports Commissioner Lawan Datti at the NNL AGM in Jos.
By Ifeanyi Eduzor
The Annual General Meeting of Nigerian National League ( NNL) has approved October, 28 as the kick-off date of the country’s second tier league just as it approved abridged League format of 4 conferences of A, B, C and D for the 2023/2024 League season.
According to the AGM, the 2023/2024 NNL League season will start with a star match between Dakkada Fc and 1472 FC to be played at UyoTowship Stadium while other week 1 league matches are to be played on 4th, 5th, and 6th November, 2023 at various venues.
This formed part of the decision taken at the end of it’s meeting held Friday, September, 29 at De Bridge Ville Suites, Jos, the Plateau State capital.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the AGM, thanked the Governor of Plateau state Caleb Mainnaseh Mutfwang and the good people of the state for hosting the AGM.
It also praised the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for their support and guidance to make NNL the most Important League in Nigeria.
The communique further stated that the AGM confirmed officially, the promotion of Heartland FC, Kano Pillars FC, Sporting Lagos FC and Katsina Utd FC to the NPFL just as it confirmed the relegation of 12 clubs to the NLO1:
It listed the relegated clubs as Kogi Utd FC , Lokoja, FWC Champions FC of Abuja, Zamfara Utd FC, Green Berets FC , Zaria and ABS FC of Ilorin
Others are; Police Machine FHQ FC , Gombe, Go Round FC , Omoku, Rivers State, FC Ebedei , Shagamu, Joy Comts FC , Lagos, Ibom Youths FC , Ikot Ekpene, Edel FC , Awka and Henserd FC , Yanagoa
For a seamless league, the AGM agreed that only stadia that meets the required NNL Stadium facilities criteria should be approved for the 2023/2024 League season and also agreed that at least 20 effective security personnel must be present before a league match can commence in any venue hosting NNL match in the 2023/2024 league season.
The NNL Annual General Meeting also unequivocally thanked Dekaizen Worldwide Ltd the official Insurance Brokers for providing a cash price of N5,000,000.00 (Five million naira) only for the winners of the 2023/2024 league season but noted that cash prices for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions shall be worked out base on availability of funds before the close of the season.
The AGM while appreciating the various sponsorship moves so far made by the Board of the Nigeria National League, passed a vote of confidence on the Board of the Nigeria National League led by George Aluo for their achievement so far and their resolve to reposition and improve the standard of the League beginning from the new season.
Meanwhile a breakdown of the League conferences, indicates that there are 21 clubs in the Southern Conference with the Northern Conference having 19 teams .
The top two teams from each conference will compete for the NPFL tickets in a Super 8 tournament. while the bottom three clubs from each conference will be relegated.
Southern Conference A
Smart City
Dakkada FC
Rovers FC
Vandrezzer FC
Ekiti United FC
Madiba FC
Abia Comets FC
Coal City FC
Stormers FC
1473 FC
Southern Conference B
Warri Wolves FC
Osun United FC
Giant Brilla FC
FC One Rocket FC
Gateway FC
Ijebu United FC
Trafe Safe FC
Crown FC
International Lagos FC
Ikorodu FC
Northern Conference A
Mighty Jets FC
Nasarawa United
Elkanemi Warriors
Wikki Tourists
NAF Rockets FC
EFCC FC
Yobe Desert Stars
Jedo FC
ABS FC
Northern Conference B
Malumfashi FC
City FC
Mailantarki Care FC
Jigawa Golden Stars
Hypbuzz FC
Maikunkele FC
Adamawa United
Sokoto United
Kebbi United
Rhabam FC
