The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Preseason Tournament in Jos, Plateau State, has been organised to help Nigeria's representatives in CAF club competitions sharpen their match fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the new season.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Prince Davidson Owumi, said the league and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) agreed to stage the tournament to complement the clubs' preparations for their continental campaigns.
"Considering that our season would be commencing a few days to the CAF Club matches, the NFF and NPFL resolved that it would benefit the clubs to have their players participate in a competitive tournament to further deepen their fitness and cohesion," Owumi told reporters after Tuesday's fixture draw.
League champions Rangers International, runners-up Rivers United and Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors are among the clubs participating in the tournament.
They are joined by Plateau United and Mighty Jets, both invited as wild cards from the host state, while Katsina United were called up late to replace Shooting Stars.
Owumi said the fixture schedule was designed to give the clubs involved in continental competition a minimum of four competitive matches from the round-robin stage through to the final.
"We acknowledge the support of the NFF in securing the buy-in of the Plateau State Government to host the tournament," he said.
"It is our expectation to see the clubs and their players take advantage of the platform to fine-tune their match preparations and plans going into the competition."
Rivers United, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Mighty Jets featured on Matchday 1 on Wednesday.
Matchday 2 will see El-Kanemi Warriors face Katsina United, while Rangers International take on Rivers United on Thursday.
All matches are being played at the New Jos Township Stadium, with the final scheduled for Sunday, August 23.
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