2022 Unity Preseason: Nasarawa United, Mailantarki Care lock horns in tourney opener
AREWA AGENDA – Twelve teams will be competing in this year’s Unity Preseason Tournament which kicks-off on Monday in Abuja.
According to the draw held on Wednesday in Abuja by the organisers of the preseason tournament, it will feature NPFL clubs such as; Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, Nasarawa United of Lafia, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Niger Tornadoes of Minna.
In the opening tourney, which is its second edition, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Nasarawa United will play against an-all conquering Nigeria National League (NNL) new comers, Mailantarki Care FC of Abuja.
The NNL clubs are: EFCC FC of Abuja, Family Worship Centre Champions of Abuja, Mailantarki Care of Abuja and City FC of Abuja.
While the NLO clubs also consist of all Abuja-based clubs including; Like-Minds FC, Manahaim FC, Sports Supply FC and Setraco FC.
Plateau United Football Club of Jos defeated Nasarawa United by a lone goal to win the tournament’s maiden edition in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long tournament is expected to run from Monday to Sunday at the Area 3 football pitch, Abuja.
Nasarawa United who were runners up in the 2021 edition, would want to use the match to test their new signings for the new season.
The Solid miners are up against the Light Boys of Abuja who recently won promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL), after emerging from the Group F of the 2021/2022 Nationwide League One (NLO).
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The Abuja-based Mailantarki Care FC played in the finals of the NLO Super 8 last week and also won the Dana Cup in Denmark early in the year.
In the second match of the first day, Lobi Stars will have their hands full against City FC of Abuja.
The Lobi team, who were very visible in the transfer market will use the tournament to assess their recruits against City FC boys who missed promotion to the elite division of the league by a whisker.
FWC Champions will battle Niger Tornadoes, while the last match of the first day will be between another NPFL side Wikki Tourists against EFCC FC.
2022 Unity Preseason Tournament Groupings/Fixtures
*Group A
Nasarawa United
Mailantarki Care
Like-Minds FC
*Group B
Lobi stars
City FC
Sports Supply FC
*Group C
Niger Tornadoes
FWC Champions
Setraco
*Group D
Wikki Tourists
EFCC
Manahaim
*Fixtures
DAY ONE: Monday, Oct. 17
Nasarawa vs Mailantarki (10am)
2. Lobi vs City (12noon)
3. FWC vs Tornadoes (2pm)
4. Wikki Vs EFCC (4pm)
DAY TWO: Tuesday, Oct. 18
Sports Supply FC Vs Lobi (9am)
6. Setraco Vs FWC (11am)
7. Mahanaim vs Wikki (1 pm)
8. Like Minds Vs Nasarawa (3pm)
DAY THREE. Wednesday, Oct. 19
Tornadoes vs Setraco (10am)
10. EFCC Vs Mahanaim (12noon)
11. Mailantarki vs Like-Minds (2pm)
12 City Vs Sports Supply FC (4pm)
Quarter Finals: Thursday, Oct. 20
Winners A vs Runners Up D (9am)
14. Runners Up vs Winners B (11am )
15. Winners C vs Runners Up A (1pm)
16. Runners Up B vs Winners D (3pm)
Semifinals: Friday, Oct. 21
Winners 13 vs Winners 14 (10am)
18.Winners 16 Vs Winners 15 (12noon)
Finals: Sunday, Oct. 23. (NAN)
