Warri Wolves technical adviser, Coach Evans Ogenyi has said that he will not object to the League Management Company, LMC, if they decides that the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, season should resume and be played behind closed doors.
The NPFL was stopped at week 25, the league organisers on March 18 announced indefinite suspension of the NPFL due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Before this decision was taken, all the major football leagues in the world had already gone on a compulsory break due to the virus which has already claimed close to a million lives across the world.
Just as England is trying to see are possibility of resuming footballing actions, the LMC is weighing available options to see through the remaining matches in the season and football stakeholders too are not left out in the search. If this is the case, then there could be a testing of all players, crews, and match officials so those that are tested negative can conclude the suspended league behind closed doors.
When asked, Ogenyi said even as life is more important than football, if the LMC can test and ensure there is strict compliance with health guidelines, the league can still be concluded.
He said “We all know that what is on ground is not a joke. This virus has proved to be so deadly so everybody is thinking about his life.
“However, since other football leagues around the world are looking at ways to conclude the season, it is good that LMC too is thinking along the same line.
“If they can test everybody involved, I will support calls for the league to resume and be concluded behind closed doors.
“My only worry is will they be able to get everybody tested?. The cases in Nigeria are increasing by the day and available health facilities have been over-stretched.
“We have 20 NPFL clubs so you can imagine the number to be tested. However, if the LMC can find a way round it, I will be happy to be back in action,” said Ogenyi . He also emphasized the need to conclude the league behind closed doors and that the virus will not spread if the matches are played behind closed doors.
