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Following the return to office of the Amaju Pinnick led board as demanded by the world Football ruling body, FIFA, indications are strong that football activities will soon resume again in the country.
It is now an open secret that football activities have literally come to a halt as a result of the leadership tussle between the two factional presidents of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa.
Due to the lingering crisis, the League Management Company suspended the league indefinitely after it observed one month break for the 2018 World Cup.
Although there is no official statement yet as to when the league will re-open, speculations are rife that action will resume in the NPFL on September 2.
An official of the LMC who spoke to Trust Sports on condition of anonymity said the league organisers are working towards re-opening the league on September 2 but the coast is still not completely clear.
He said in view of the fact that the league is expected to end not later than October, everything is being done for the league to resume early September.
“What you have heard is true but I am not mandated to issue any official statement yet. However, it is the desire of the LMC for the league to resume on September 2.
“All the necessary modalities are being worked out for the league to resume because we are expected to conclude the season in October,” he said.
If the league resumes on September 2, the 20 clubs would surely have to contend with congested fixtures. There will be steady flow of midweek fixtures for them to play.
In addition, there is the Aiteo Federation Cup for the clubs to contend with. This is one competition that is going to attract the attention of the clubs because it offers the other continental ticket.
Unlike in the past when four clubs represented the country in CAF club competitions, only two clubs Nigerian clubs will feature in continental competitions next year.
The champions of the NPFL will feature in the CAF Champions League and the winners of the Aiteo Federation Cup will pick the Confederations Cup ticket.
This development is as a result of the poor performances of Nigerian clubs in this year’s CAF club competitions. Apart from Enyimba who are left in the Confederations Cup, the other three, Plateau United, MFM and Akwa United couldn’t make it to the group stages.
As it is, there are concerns that the clubs will have to endure difficult times in prosecuting the remaining league fixtures and the Aiteo Cup competition in less than two months.
In view of the above, Trust Sports spoke to some of the coaches in the NPFL to find out how they are preparing to face the pressure that would accompany the crowded fixtures ahead.
The technical adviser of FC IfeanyiUbah and president of Nigeria football coaches association, Ladan Bosso said it is not going to be easy but it is sacrifice that must be made.
He said without midweek matches, it won’t be possible to meet up with the October deadline.
“It is unfortunate that we have found ourselves in this kind of situation. However, for the league to flow, we need to adapt to the situation. It is not a palatable situation but we have to adjust for the future.
“If CAF has given us the directive to end the league in October, then there is nothing we can do about it. After all, we are used to fire-brigade approach.
“That is why I always tell people that Nigerian coaches are magicians. We work and thrive in situations that no European can succeed. We do it here successfully yet we are not respected.
“The situation we have found ourselves calls for sacrifice. If we cannot end the season in time, it will equally affect the coming season. Don’t forget that in other countries, the 2018-2019 season has started,” he said.
Also speaking, the chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Alhaji Tukur Babangida said he was yet to be officially communicated of the resumption date but whenever the league resumes, Pillars would try to meet up.
“Well, I have heard in the social media that the league will resume on September 2. There is no official communication from the LMC. However, if the league resumes today, we shall adjust to the situation.
“We are used to playing twice a week. When the league started, we played some midweek matches too. Some of us were already aware that when the second round resumes, we would have series of midweek matches to play.
“Although it is not going to be easy, we are ready for it. If we want to conclude the season in time, it has to be so,” he stated
In the same vein, the technical adviser of Kwara United, Coach Abubakar Bala said he is preparing his team for the ‘rush hour’ so he has nothing to worry about.
He said there are enough players in Kwara United to prosecute both the league and the Aiteo Federation Cup.
“As professional coaches, we know the situation in the country and we know how the league is usually organised. During the pre-season, we prepared for mid-week and weekend matches.
“When we are talking as coaches, we are talking on behalf of the players. We own the players and we know how to manage them. We know those who will play in the different competitions.
“It is not necessary for the same players to feature in all the competitions. There will be some for the league and some for the Aiteo Cup.
“Now that the league is going to be rushed, we are preparing for more midweek matches. It is not going to be like in the past when we would play one, two or three midweek matches and skip for some weeks.
“In England, sometimes they play more matches. A team can play up to four matches in different competitions in a week.
“The only people we should worry about are the administrators. I mean the management of the clubs.
“Where would they raise funds to prosecute the matches that are going to come in quick successions?. They are the ones to bear most of the pressure because as coaches we don’t have much to worry about.
The technical adviser of Niger Tornadoes, Hamza Abarra also shared the same view with his colleagues as he said the necessary sacrifices must be made for the league to end in October.
He, however, called on the LMC to be ready to give financial assistance to the clubs.
“Honestly speaking, this is a very difficult situation but we cannot do otherwise. We have to forge ahead. The time is limited so we have to do what is expected of us.
“I know the league company will rush us but we have to also push the boys. I also want to call on the LMC to look into the financial situation of the clubs and see how they can assist us.
“The Aiteo Cup is coming up so it is not going to be easy. Nevertheless, we shall do our best to adjust to the situation. We cannot run away from the situation on ground,” he noted.