The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) announced on Thursday that all league matches will be postponed for a month after this weekend’s matchday 32 fixtures.
The new development was brought in to provide Rivers United with the opportunity to finish all their outstanding games on or before May 18, followed by a week-long break before league action resumes on May 25.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, revealed that the league’s organisers came up with the idea to provide an even field for all 20 teams heading into the last six matches of the season.
BREAKING ❗️
The league will go on a one-month break after the Match day 32 fixtures this weekend to allow Rivers United FC to play all their outstanding matches.
League action will resume with Match day 33 on the weekend of May 25th and 26th.#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/hNUIt8KQJh
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) April 25, 2024
The league is currently at the 31-match mark, and Rivers United, who recently crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-1 aggregate loss to USM Alger in the quarterfinals, have played 26 matches due to their participation in continental competition.
The Port Harcourt-based club was in action last Thursday, defeating Katsina United 2-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. They are currently 12th in the league standings with 40 points, and they have played five fewer matches than the majority of the league.
However, Rivers United will visit the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium in Yenogoa to take on Bayelsa United on Sunday in matchday 32 before the league goes on the month-long break, a period in which the Federation Cup will also be played.
Rivers United FC’s Outstanding fixtures and dates
Remo Stars v Rivers United – May 5
Kwara United vs Rivers United – May 8
Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United – May 11
Abia Warriors vs Rivers United – May 15
Rivers United vs Niger Tornadoes – May 18
