Dikko tasks clubs on CAF club competitions

Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko, has urged the four teams representing Nigeria in continental club competitions to be good ambassadors of the league, even as he expressed satisfaction with their preparations for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Club championships starting this weekend.

Dikko spoke shortly after presenting the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super Four Pre-season tournament trophy to winners, Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

He described the two rounds of the Super Four tournament in Kaduna and Uyo as a competitive build-up to the continental race.

“The Super Four is part of an obligation of the League Management Company (LMC) in the contract with the then league sponsor, but we went a step further in view of the kick-off date for the 2015/16 season to make it a tow round tournament which will provide the needed competitive match fitness for the clubs going into the continent.

“The performance in Uyo showed a remarkable improvement to what was witnessed in Kaduna and while preparations cannot at any time be described as perfect, we are happy with the progress made so far and with the season starting in two weeks, the players will definitely be properly primed before their second leg matches,” Dikko remarked.

Akwa United finished on nine points to win their maiden Super Four trophy at first try ahead of Enyimba and Nasarawa United, both on eight points, while Warri Wolves finished on 7 points.

Dikko also said the close finish by the four teams showed how competitive the tournament was, adding, “just like in our regular season, it has been a photo finish which goes to show the competitiveness of our league and the point that none of our teams is a push-over.”