BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja
Amidst the unfortunate robbery attack on Kano Pillars players that have resulted in the rescheduling of the season’s opener between Heartland of Owerri and champions Kano Pillars, the Nigeria Premier Football League will begin this weekend across the country with mouth-watering fixtures.

The Heartland/Pillars encounter was meant to kick-start the season on Saturday. The two double headers in Port Harcourt featuring Sharks vs Sunshine of Akure and Dolphins vs Kwara United will now be the star matches on Saturday.

Abubakar COO, LMC

In the other fixtures coming up Sunday, Bayelsa United will be at home to visiting Lobi Stars of Makurdi. Enyimba International who ended last season as runners-up will ambush next door neighbours, Akwa United of Uyo. Rangers International f Enugu will take a trip to Jalingo to keep a date with FC Taraba.

Gabbros FC of Nnewi now known as Ifeanyi Uba FC will test their might against CAF Confederations hopeful, Warri Wolves while Abia Warriors of Umuahia have a date to keep in Jos with Giwa FC.

El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri who now play their home matches in Kano will host Nasarrawa United of Lafia while two returnees, Wikki Tourists and Shooting Stars will trade tackles in Bauchi.

Already all the teams have been talking tough on how they intend to prosecute the long season which will see each of the 20 teams on home and away basis with the attendant toll on the purse of the teams as well as health of the players.

To this effect, most of the teams have beefed up their camp with the recruitment of more players so as to have a reserve base that can enable them go the whole hog. Nasarrawa United for instance says it has signed 13 new players to join those already in their camp. Chairman of the club, Barr. Isaac Danladi told Sports Vanguard that the major reason for engaging the new players is to make the team stronger to contest for one of the continental tickets at the end of the season.

Enyimba international on the other hand is hopeful of winning the league shield after narrowly missing it last season. Club chairman, Felix Ayansi-Agwu has revealed that the Aba based side has a culture of running the team professionally.

He added that the unique selling point of the teams to put the players first so as to get the best out of them at all times. According to him, the issues of sign-on fees and outstanding allowances have been settled ahead of the new season.

Apart from what the clubs may be doing to reposition their teams, the resolve of the League Management Company (LMC) to enforce strict guidelines that will protect the players must be commended even as we hope they will be able to match words with action.