The 2023 Nationwide League One (NLO) will officially kick off on May 3 after a new directive was issued by the league body.
The Nigerian third-tier league was supposed to commence on May 26 but was moved forward by a week owing to some clubs yet to complete player registration and also the Federation Cup round of 64 which holds next Wednesday with a number of NLO teams participating.
It marks the second time the NLO has shifted the commencement of the 2023 season as the league prepares to move back to a stadium league format which was approved by the NLO Congress in February.
“All is still in top gear to commence the season without hitches in terms of the logistics we have put in place for the Stadium League Format,” NLO’s Chief Operating Officer Olushola Ogunnowo said in a statement.
“On the other hand, a few clubs have slowed our activities as they were yet to complete their player’s registration processes.
“Players registration by all the clubs before the kickoff of the season, is imperative to the NLO, as it’s never our norm to start the season with a fire brigade approach.
“We also considered the knockout football competition, Federation Cup which is at the Round of 32 stages. A few NLO teams are still in the race for the trophy, so it won’t be fair if the Secretariat doesn’t consider such teams when releasing the fixtures for the season.
“Having moved the commencement date by a week, we are certain that the affected clubs will use this window to finalize their player’s registration for the season.”
Madiba FC are the reigning NLO champions having beaten Malantarki Care FC 1-0 in the playoff final last October at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos.
