IMC President Elegbeleye is optimistic about the next NPFL season.

Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), has expressed confidence that the 2022/23 NPFL season will be one of the best organized in recent years.

Honourable Elegbeleye revealed on Monday shortly after visiting NFF president Ibrahim Musa Gusau in his office in Abuja, adding his optimism stemmed from the seamless start of the new season and the outcome of the first game, which saw newcomers, Bendel Insurance, defeat home side Akwa United 2-0 in Uyo.

“I am impressed with the first game of the season, and if the result is any indication, I am optimistic that we will have one of the best NPFL seasons in recent years,”

“I am impressed with the opening game of the season and if the result is anything to judge with, I am optimistic that we are in for one the best NPFL seasons in recent years,”

“The officiating was good, the standard of play was superb and the atmosphere was conducive for football. To cap it all, the away side won in a very difficult-to-win Godswill Akpabio international stadium in Uyo.

“The game was very exciting and challenging for both sides. We expect other games coming up this week to be equally good with the kind of officiating and atmosphere that pervaded the match in Uyo. I am sure we are set for a very good season. ”

On officiating, the former Director General of the National Sports Commission pointed out that he didn’t expect anything lower than what was displayed at the opening game of the season, adding that match officials will be monitored strictly to ensure that they don’t compromise the high standard IMC demands from them.

“To encourage match officials to give us the best officiating, the IMC has increased allowances of match officials by between 40 to 50 per cent. This is to check any form of inducement from clubs who have also agreed not to induce referees,” Elegbeleye stated.