Owumi: NFF and NPFL set up preseason tournament for CAF clubs

The Nigeria Football Federation and the Nigeria Premier Football League have organised a preseason tournament in Jos to help Nigeria’s representatives prepare for their CAF club competitions. NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi said the competition was designed to improve the clubs’ match fitness and cohesion before the continental fixtures begin.

The tournament includes NPFL champions Rangers International, league runners-up Rivers United and Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors. Host-state invitations went to Plateau United and Mighty Jets, while Katsina United was brought in to replace Shooting Stars after a late change to the line-up.

Owumi said the timing of the NPFL season made the competition necessary. The league campaign is due to start only a few days before the CAF matches, leaving the participating clubs with limited time to build their squads through competitive action. The preseason event therefore complements each club’s own preparation programme.

The format is intended to give the clubs involved in continental football four guaranteed matches, running from the round-robin phase through to the final. That schedule gives Rangers, Rivers United and El-Kanemi more opportunities to test their players and tactical plans before entering the CAF competitions.

Rivers United, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Mighty Jets were involved on the opening matchday at the New Jos Township Stadium. The second matchday features El-Kanemi against Katsina United and Rangers against Rivers United. Every fixture is being played at the same venue.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, August 23. The tournament is being hosted with the support of the Plateau State Government, following cooperation between the NFF and the NPFL to establish the event. Its main purpose is to provide Nigeria’s continental representatives with competitive preparation ahead of their CAF campaigns.