BY SAB OSUJI

The NPFL Match Day 13 rescheduled clash involving Sporting Lagos and Rivers United has been moved to Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Similarly, date for the match has been shifted forward by 24 hours, game now to hold on Thursday, 8 February instead of the the earlier February 7 date.

Exclusivenews.com.ng understands that the shift in date was necessitated by Super Eagles crucial AFCON 2023 Semi final confrontation between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa slated to hold in Bouake, Ivory Coast, at 5pm Nigeria time.

As a result, Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos directed that no football activity will hold at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Arena, Lagos, original venue for the Sporting Lagos versus Rivers United Match same Wednesday the Super Eagles are taking on Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, it was gathered, blacked out the MBA pitch for the domestic top flight having designated the edifice as viewing center for the Super Eagles versus Bafana Bafana showpiece.

Consequently, organisers of the NPFL quickly rescheduled the match to Thursday and as well shifted the venue to Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

Exclusivenews.com.ng understands that players and officials of the Pride of Rivers who had earlier arrived Lagos for the match were asked to move to Ikenne.

"As we speak now, our players and officials are relocating to Ikenne", a Rivers United official said on Wednesday afternoon.

"The Match has been moved to the Remo Stars Stadium because the Governor of Lagos State has given order that no match will hold at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday because the Stadium will be used as viewing center for the Super Eagles versus Bafana Bafana of South Africa AFCON semi final match.

"So, NPFL had to sanction Remo Stars Stadium for the NPFL match".

Aside the match against Sporting Lagos, Rivers United will travel to Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC, Ibadan, on Saturday, for yet another (matchday 15) rescheduled fixture.

"Our concern is fatigue, playing two games in 48 hours", the Rivers United official rued.

"NPFL has declared that all outstanding games must be concluded this Saturday to make room for a smooth resumption of the second stanza of the league next Wednesday, February 14.

"So, we'll have to travel to Ibadan on Friday for the Shooting Stars match on Saturday after playing Sporting Lagos on Thursday".

Rivers United will be without Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma, in the two rescheduled games.

Eguma was granted permission by the hierarchy of the club to recuperate from an undisclosed illness. Eguma is also understood to have lost a cousin.