The Nigerian Professional Football League’s hope of returning have been delt a blow after government stated that sporting events remain banned.

Football activities in Nigeria have been suspended since March following the report of the coronavirus outbreak.

The NPFL and other leagues in the country will remain suspended as gatherings of more than 20 people are still prohibited in Nigeria.

The chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, has revealed football activities in Nigeria will remain shut down.

“I’m not sure we are excited about opening sporting activities in our country, particularly soccer [football], which attracts large crowds,” Mustapha told the media.

“If our guidelines say large gatherings are banned and not to exceed 20 persons except places of work, I don’t see the excitement if we allow soccer to return to an empty stadium.

“A lot of European countries where these games have started are big businesses and they are doing it carefully and gradually.

“We are not excited about allowing sports to return, we will get there, but for now, we are concerned with the few activities allowed to reopen.

“We will continue to review the situation, know how we are faring, study the situation and know what next to do based on data, science and peculiarity of our environment.”

Nigeria has recorded more than 14,500 cases with 385 deaths since the first case was reported.

Last month, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed that the domestic league in the country will only resume when the government gives a go ahead.

Plateau United currently lead the NPFL table with 49 points from 25 games while Rivers United and Lobi Stars are second and third.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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