Newly promoted Go-Round Football Club of Omoku have been handed a difficult run of fixtures at the start of their first ever top flight season.
In the draw ceremony held in Kano, northern Nigeria on Sunday, the privately owned club were drawn to face Wikki Tourists in Bauchi on Match Day One. The Bro Felix Obuah owned side will then return to face Akwa United in their first home match three days later before traveling to Lobi Stars on Match Day three.
Reigning league champions Plateau United will open their title defense with a derby game against Nasarawa United in Lafia. Another derby awaits at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina where hosts Katsina United entertain Kano Pillars in a North West Derby.
The star match of the opening day sees AITEO Cup champions Akwa United host 2015/16 league champions Enugu Rangers in Uyo while Imama Amapakabo will begin his reign as El-Kanemi Warriors coach with a trip to his native Rivers United, a repeat of last season’s Match Day One fixture which Rivers won 2-1.
Heartland FC’s return to the top flight will start with a home tie against Sunshine Stars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri while another newly promoted side, Yobe Desert Stars will have their baptism of fire when they visit FC Ifeanyiubah.
The final two matches of the opening Match Day will see Abia Warriors host continental hopefuls MFM FC in Umuahia while Kwara United, just back among the elites from the lower division will face Niger Tornadoes in another North West derby.
The 2017/18 Nigeria Professional Football League season will commence on the weekend of January 14, 2018 after a four-month recess and is expected to end, other things being equal on September 30.
