BY SAB OSUJI

Six NPFL clubs are understood to be on line for the season Six of the annual Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Pre-Season Football Tournament, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Although organisers are yet to reveal the names of the elite league clubs, but Exclusivenews.com.ng checks reveal that Pride of Rivers, Rivers Utd, Enyimba, Akwa Utd, Abia Warriors, Bendel Insurance are on the card for the pre season football showpiece.

Similarly, no fewer than four Nigeria National League, NNL, sides will take part in the tournament.

The likes of Heartland, Vandrezzar, Edel and Coal City Utd FC are expected to feature in the tournament.

Lagos, Ibadan, Owerri and Aba, are already jostling for the hosting right.

Ifeanyi Ekwueme, a former Super Eagles winger and current Sporting Director of Enyimba FC, and who also is Tico/Select Sales Representative confirmed interest from several top league and second tier league clubsides in the 2024 edition of the tournament but refused to be dragged into revealing their identities.

"We're still talking, we haven't concluded yet. But we're getting positive responses", Ekwueme yelled.

"But I can say about Six NPFL clubs are already excited and would take part. So also about four NNL teams, this I'm sure of but like I said, we're being professional about the whole thing and as such I won't be ready to mention their names until when everything is sealed".

He also disclosed that no decision has yet been taken on which of the four cities bidding for the hosting right.

"We're close to arriving at a decision on which of the four bidding cities that will host this year's Tico/Select.

"But that will be sorted out in the coming days", Ekwueme added.

Abia Warriors are the defending champions of the annual Tico/Select Pre Season Football Tournament.