Julius OkorieCoach of reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has declared that the new season will be very tough even as the Enugu based drew with El-kanemi Warriors in Saturday’s opener.
Ilechukwu in a chat with Primebusiness.africa hinged his submission on the return of highly experienced coaches to the elite division this season, adding that it will be a battle of wits.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The new league will be very tough. We have a return of very experienced coaches, the likes of Imama Amakpakabo, Ladan Bosso, Finidi George, Babaganaru, to mention just a few, it will be tough contest,” he said.
Ilechukwu, who recently identified exodus of talented players for other leagues across Africa and elsewhere as reason why Nigerian clubs struggle in continental championships, however added that he is not under pressure as Rangers will take the matches one at a time.
The former MFM, Plateau United and Kano Pillars coach, expressed satisfaction with fans of the Flying Antelopes who always turn out in large numbers to support the Coal City boys.
“Here in Enugu, our fans are ready and ever committed, they turn out in large numbers and that certainly is good for the game the impact of the fans at match venues cannot be ignored” he said
After the season opener between Rangers and El-kanemi on Saturday, the league will be fired up properly September 7 with six matches lined up.
Premier league new comers, Beyond Limits, will host Enyimba and Ikenne, Kano Pillars host new comers Ikorodu FC, Lobi Stars trade tackles with Akwa United while Kwara United will lock horns with Niger Tornadoes.
In Benin it promises to be firework as Bendel Insurance sometimes called Benin Arsenals host Rivers United while Plateau United and Kastina United slug it out in a Northern derby.
Prior to the kickoff of the new season clubs had made efforts to fortify their teams by signing new players and offloading others.
Enyimba who have former international Nwankwo Kanu as club chairman offloading thirteen players and brought it no fewer than 10 for the new season.
Among players that joined the peoples Elephant for the new season include Divine Ukadike from Heartland, Ufere Chinedu from Sporting Lagos and Kalu Nweke among others.
Coach of the side Yemi Olanrewaju who is equally a new signing of the club is optimistic ahead of the new season saying that the focus is integration of new signings of the club.
Olanrewaju who has been ensuring intensive training for the league and the CAF Confederation Cup respectively insist the team is equal to the task,
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“The focus now is integration, and that’s what we’re trying to do, we have a lot of new players and we need to blend we and I think we are ready for the challenge” he enthused.
Premier league runners up who failed to survive the preliminary stage of the CAF Champions league will now be putting all their energy into the league season and will be hoping to re-enact the feat they achieved last season.
The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) runners-up had taken a lone goal advantage to Morocco on a return leg but failed to consolidate losing 2-0 in Rabat
Meanwhile Club officials and Referees who fail to play by the rules have been told to be ready for NPFL hammer as the body has zero tolerance for poor officiating and sharp practices.
Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL and former International, Davidson Owumi, who gave the hint, admitted that the body was tough last season and not ready to soft pedal.
Those who play by the rules he however assured will have nothing to worry about.
“NPFL has rules and they are meant to be obeyed, if a club and referees do the right thing do you have to punish them? No. Disciplinary measures are not a one off thing so it won’t be different this season” he said
After engaging new coaches, buying and offloading players to shape up for the new season, soccer fans and especially those with bias for the local league will hoping to see good football this season.
All eyes will be on newly promoted quartet Beyond Limits, Ikorodu City, Nasarawa Untied and El-kameni Warriors as they fight to consolidate on their promotions by remaining in the elite division.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
