The 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League will take-off this Sunday, with a fascinating Matchday 1 to take place at the Nest of Champions Stadium Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. 2021/2022 Champions Akwa United and returnee Bendel Insurance will square it up against each other on Sunday afternoon as they have some tricky tests next weekend, this is due to the shift of the rest of the first weekend matches, meaning the title race is on from the very first minute.
Current champions Rivers United,  another of the top teams in the division, also have a difficult fixture, but they will have to wait till next weekend to face Lobi Stars at their fortress Adokiye Amasiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt for the 2022/23  Nigeria Premier Football League season’s opening match at 16:00WAT time next week Sunday afternoon. After making it into the top four for three seasons in a row, Stanley Eguma’s team will hope for another year in the Champions League spots, but Lobi Stars are a solid and well-drilled outfit, one that usually starts each new season well.
The following weekend will the rest of the matches are on Sunday. Remo Stars SC host new returnee El-Kanemi Warriors in what will be the first time El-Kanemi Warriors play their official premiership match for the first in four years, it will be an interesting tactical tussle. Then, Gombe United will be on the road to Ibadan to last season’s top Kwara United, while Nasarawa United welcomes eight times league winners Enyimba FC to Jos in one of the tactical games expected this season.
Also, the next weekend Plateau United will host South West giants Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan, Gbenga Ogunbote side must do with their talisman Alimi Sikiru who joined the Oluyole Warriors a few weeks before the kick-off, after joining them as a free agent, meaning other talents will have to step up.
The abridge format will see Group B Â newbies Doma United flex their muscles against the Akure Gunners at the Pantami Stadium as the Savannah begin their journey in the premier league for the first time in their history, Wikki Tourist versus Niger Tornadoes will be another cracker despite both teams played several warm-up games in the preseason. The first oriental derby will see Rangers Internationals host their regional rivals Abia Warriors at Nsuka Stadium.
The opening matchday reaches its conclusion at the Samson Siasia Stadium, where Bayelsa United takes on Dakkada FC. After eight years in the second division, the Yenagoa side wants to push for a stay in the top flight as they have been busy on the transfer market before the season kicks off with the aim of finishing in the top four. The last time they finished at the top was eight years ago. For all the clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League, getting off to a winning start would be priceless.
