NPFL: Aiyegbeni and Olofinjana as mentors as Katsina and Kano with highly volatile supporters meet

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has designated as high risk, the matchday 22 fixture involving Katsina United and Kano Pillars.

The designation is informed by the history of rivalry between the Northwest clubs supporters.

The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi clarified that the move is a preemptive measure to guard against any untoward incidents before, during, and after the match.

Owumi expressed confidence that the measures put in place and the proactive engagement with the two clubs would ensure a conducive atmosphere for the match.

“We write to draw your attention to the perennial fan problems usually encountered in fixtures involving your two teams,” he declared.

“We have therefore taken steps to avoid any ugly incidents as you play the Matchday 22 fixture.

“Our Head of Security, Henry Chijioke will be physically present for the match to work with the State FA and the two clubs towards ensuring adequate security and Fans control measures are in place.”

The encounter is billed for the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Wednesday, February 28, in Katsina.

Meanwhile, the league body has picked former Super Eagles players, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Seyi Olofinjana as mentors for the youth league.

Former Super Eagles handler, Austin Eguavoen and Patrick Pascal will also serve in a mentorship role.

The quartet were unveiled in a brief ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

The NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the idea of the mentorship is to provide professional role models who would deploy their experience to nurture the young talents to stardom.

Elegbeleye tasked the quartet to use their influence in the round leader game to help discover, nurture, and mentor the next generation of Stars at the youth league.

The chairman of the youth league Committee, Emeka Inyama, lauded the ex-internationals for accepting to work with the NPFL for talent discovery.

“It is noteworthy that you have left your private business engagement to answer this call to serve,” he told the NPFL media.

“It is a demonstration of your readiness to reproduce yourselves for Nigeria and this is very commendable.”