The Nigeria Premier Football League has been stopped for two weeks, this is to help clubs to participate well in the President Federation Cup in their states.
According to reports the stoppage will let teams meet their commitments in the country’s competition, notwithstanding, the League activities will start again after the state Federation Cup matches are finished.
This break happens as the 2026 edition of the tournament is happening in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Clubs are trying to qualify for the level. while the state preliminaries started in March. They will end with the finals on April 26, and then the representatives will be officially confirmed.
The NPFL schedule has been updated. Matchday 36 fixtures are now on May 3, Matchday 37 encounters are on May 10, the season is getting close to its part.
This decision follows directives from the Nigeria Football Federation, they stressed the importance of following the Federation Cup schedule.
The NFF warned that clubs not participating in preliminary matches will be fined N1 million. Those that withdraw after state registration may face a N500,000 penalty.
The Federation Cup is Nigeria’s football tournament. That always starts at the state level with teams from grassroots to clubs. Each state sends two representatives, the champion and runner-up, and this makes a total of 74 teams for the competition.
At the level lower-ranked teams play preliminary matches, and then join teams, from the NPFL and Nigeria National League in the round of 64. The competition then becomes a knockout format at neutral venues, draw matches will be decided by penalties.
NPFL Reportedly Halts the Current Season for the Federation Cup
