June, 2 2023.
Record eight-time Nigerian Champions, Enyimba of Aba and Remo Stars of Ikenne will get the Nigeria Premier Football League Play-offs, christened "Super Six" underway when they take to the pitch at 2pm, for the tournament opener.
Coincidentally, the Aba People's Elephant and the Sky Blues from Remo in Ogun State, qualified from Group A, as 3rd and 2nd; behind Bendel Insurance of Benin.
Reigning NPFL Champions, Rivers United of Port Harcourt will begin their title defence against Sunshine Stars of Akure in the second match of the day billed to kick-off at 4pm.
Like in the opening fixture, both the Pride of Rivers and Akure Gunners qualified from Group B, with Stanley Eguma's side topping it, while Sunshine, Coaches by Edith Agoye was 3rd.
Day One action will be rounded off when Bendel Insurance stakes their unbeaten record, both in the league and Federation Cup against Lobi Stars, starting from 6pm, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, in Onikan Lagos, venue of all the matches.
Sunday is rest day for all the teams, and the season-ending play-offs will resume on Monday, with Day 2 fixtures, where Lobi Stars will clash with Enyimba at 2pm;
Rivers United and Remo Stars takes to the pitch at 4pm; before Bendel Insurance clashes with Sunshine Stars at 6pm, a repeat of this year's Federation Cup quarterfinal, which the Benin Arsenal won 1-0, in Awka.
Day 3 of the play-offs is scheduled for Wednesday June 7th, and a potentially title defining fixture between 1973 & 1979 Champions, Insurance of Benin and Enyimba of Aba will set the ball rolling at 2pm.
Next at 4pm is the South West derby between Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars; whilst the Lobi Stars and Rivers United will from 6pm, rekindle their Group B rivalry that saw each team win their home ties, during the regular season.
The Super Six continues on June 9th, with Day 4 fixtures, where Rivers United slugs it out in another potentially title decider against Bendel Insurance at 2pm; the battle of Stars between Lobi and Remo is billed for 4pm; and the day's last game is the tie between Sunshine Stars and Enyimba of Aba, at 6pm.
The last round of matches and day of the round robin fixtures is set for Day 5, on June 11th, when
Sunshine Stars clashes with Lobi Stars at 2pm;
Remo Stars will take on Bendel Insurance at 4pm; before familiar foes and perennial rivals
Enyimba of Aba and Rivers United takes to the pitch at 6pm, for a befitting show stopping duel, to round off the tournament.
Champions of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), whose logo was unveiled on Friday to give the league a new lease of life, will take home a trophy one hundred million Naira in prize money, and a ticket to represent Nigeria in next season's CAF Champions League, ckdmedia.ng reports.
The first runner-up will likewise pocket the second ticket to the CAF Champions League; whilst the second runner up will be rewarded with a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup, as Nigeria's second entrant.
Cable Satellite television giants, Supersport have already fully set up to relay live pictures and commentaries of the Super Six, as the Interim Management Committee (IMC) works round the clock to restore the lost glory of Nigerian top flight league.
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