Matchday 4 fixture in Lafia between hosts, Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors earlier scheduled for Saturday, October 21 will now be played on Sunday, October 22.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) granted the 24-hour shift following the tragic robbery incident in Otukpo, Benue State, home base of Lobi Stars.
“Everything and all officials involved in this fixture, including the crew of our broadcast streaming partners, Propel Sports are on ground in Lafia but this is a huge human tragedy that deserves our sympathy and support, not just for Lobi Stars but the entire people of Benue State”, remarked Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of NPFL while announcing the date shift.
“The NPFL commiserates with the families that lost loved ones and the greater people and Government of Benue State on this unfortunate incident”, he further stated.
Owumi disclosed that the League has sought the understanding of the Match Officials and the visiting team, Abia Warriors whose schedule and logistics would directly be impacted by the shift. He added that “all other fixtures will be played as scheduled”.
This leaves only the match in Kaduna between Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United as the fixture to hold today. Lafia will thus join seven other fixtures to be played on Sunday with that between Doma United and Enyimba International already postponed owing to the latter’s involvement in the prestigious Africa Football League (AFL).