NSL to kick off in April

PNG Football Association Emergency Committee had a meeting with the National Soccer League interim committee today and has move the kick off date for the NSL 2017 season to 29 April.

The Emergency Committee has decided to defer the kick off date from 18 February to 29 April due to two reasons:
1) Participation of Lae City Dwellers and Madang FC in the OFC Champions League and
2) Participation of PNG senior men’s national team in the FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The PNGFA Emergency Committee stated that Lae City Dwellers and Madang FC has confirm to participate in the 2017 NSL season, with that the committee has push forward for the deferral to allow the two teams to focus on their campaign for the OFC Champions League.

PNG senior men’s coach Flemming Serritslev had also asked the committee to defer the kick off date to allow for men’s national team to prepare for their home and away qualifier match against Tahiti.
NSL competition manager had made known that eight franchises have confirm their participation in the country’s biggest football competition.

The eight franchises confirmed are; 2016 NSL champions Lae City Dwellers FC, Madang FC, Huawei PS United FC, Besta PNG United FC, Yamaros FC, Eastern Stars FC, Buang FC and Admiralty FC.
Koima thank the eight franchises and stated that this year’s competition will be bigger and better.