By Chigozie Chukwuleta
Organisers of the annual Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Football Tournament have confirmed a new kick off date for the event Newspathfinder.com reports.
The tournament which involves eight (8) Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL clubs, will now get underway on 20th October 2022.
It was earlier billed to kick off on September 25 but had to moved following logistic reasons.
But Ekwueme, a former Super Eagles midfielder, told Newspathfinder Wednesday evening that the involvement of Rivers United and Plateau United in crucial CAF Champions League final round qualification games next weekend as well as the Rivers fixtures the following week necessitated the latest shift in commencement date.
“Two of the teams slated for the Preseason tournament, Rivers United and Plateau United are involved in crucial CAF Champions League games October 9 and 16”, Ekwueme, a former Polonia Warsaw of Poland left-footed midfielder said to Newspathfinder.
“And in a show of support and solidarity, the other participating clubs agreed to move the tournament to a new date.
“I spoke with top officials of the club’s and got their consent for a slight adjustment in the commencement date of the tournament”,
“Rivers United Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma, Rangers Technical Adviser, Abdul Maikaba, Fidelis Ilechukwu of Plateau United and Enyimba Chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu as well Niger Tornadoes coach, Bala Nikyu are amongst those that I spoke with and who gave their candid support for the shift in date”,
“It was their reasoning that a preseason tournament involving top league sides will give their teams the needed test going into the new season”, Ekwueme said.
Rangers, Enyimba, Rivers United, Bayelsa United, Niger Tornadoes, Abia Warriors are among the teams slated to take part in the tournament.
Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba and Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, are the two venues for the tournament.
The final of the tournament will be staged in Asaba, Delta State capital.
