Duamlong lauds LMC’s decision to end 2018 NPFL season

A former Super Eagles assistant coach, Ben Duamlong has said the decision of the League Management Company to end the 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League abruptly is a welcome development, when the safety of the players is taken into consideration.

Last week, the league organisers announced the end of the 2018 NPFL season after it held a meeting with the 20 clubs in Abuja.

It was announced by the LMC that the 20 clubs had all agreed to end the season at week 24 since it won’t be possible to meet up with the October 15 deadline given by CAF, if the remaining matches were to be played.

The meeting therefore resolved that Lobi Stars who were leading the table with 43 points at week 24 would represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League, a decision that is to be ratified by the NFF.

In his reaction, the former Plateau United coach said the decision is in the best interest of the clubs because of the danger inherent in travelling on Nigerian roads and playing matches in quick successions.

He also said rushing the remaining matches to meet up with the CAF deadline would have adverse effect on the health of the players.

Duamlong, therefore, commended the clubs for understanding with the LMC who were left with no option than to call time on the season in order to plan for the 2019 NPFL season.

“Personally, I see it as a welcome development. That decision has saved a lot of problems the teams would have encountered travelling hundreds of kilometres on our bad roads to honour congested fixtures.

“Moreover, health wise, it is not good for players to play so many matches within a short space of time.

“I commend the clubs for accepting to end the league as proposed by the LMC,” he said.