NPFL 2020/2021: Akwa United Versus Dakkada Rescheduled Derby Holds Today

Sport

NPFL 2020/2021: Akwa United Versus Dakkada Rescheduled Derby Holds Today

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match-day one between Akwa United FC and Dakkada FC has been rescheduled for today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The match, according to sources, was rescheduled owing to logistic issues. The league is resuming after it was abruptly stopped on March 18, 2020 due to the advent Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Going into the new season, the LMC had to rely on Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 protocols, after suffering uncertainty in the course of postponements. Four clubs benefitted from the last season's league misadventure as the League Management Company (LMC) adopted the Point Per Game (PPG) and Winning Per Game (WPG) system to decide which teams qualify for continental championship. In the system, Plateau United and Enyimba were picked for Confederation of African Football (CAF) Championship, while Rivers United and Kano Pillars got Confederation Cup tickets. The new season is played in compliance to the new game laws amidst COVID-19 pandemic and the approval for teams to make up to five substitutions as well as the application of the new sleeve-length handball rule. Meanwhile, Akwa United management have beefed up the team ahead of the new season with eight new signings namely: returnee, Mfon Udoh, FC Tulsa, USA; Seth Maji, Plateau United; Stephen Amos, Kano Pillars and Samuel Amadi, Warri Wolves. Others are: Inemesit Sunday, Ibom Youth FC; Sadick Abbas, Rangers International; Charles Arteshimene, Warri Wolves, Uche Sabastine and Charles Okafor , both from FC Ifeanyi Ubah. On the other hand Dakkada FC who debuted in the elite last season, are looking forward to better their performance with the singing of a new head coach, Danlami Kwasau, in cluding some new players. Danlami , an indigene of Kaduna held sway at Delta Force, FC Taraba and Kada City.He takes over from Coach Caleb Esu whose contract was not renewed. The chairman of Dakkada FC, Coach Aniedi Dickson said the engagement of a new coach was aimed at fortifying the technical department of the team. He also posited that the new head coach will be given the "free hand to operate and solicited the support of relevant stakeholders from within and outside the state to enable him succeed on his new assignment.