Eight champions, the Smart City FC (Lagos State), Madiba FC (Lagos State), FC Ebedei (Ogun State), Police Barretta FC (Gombe), Kun Khalifa FC (Imo State), Aspire FC (Anambra State), Jnr Danburan (Katsina State) and Mailatarki Care FC of the Federal Capital Territory, will slug it out in the play-off to determine the overall winner of the NLO 2022 season.

According to the adept Chief Operating Officer(COO) of the nation’s third division football league, Olushola Ogunnowo.

“All is set for another epic six days of football display from the best and top teams from the 2021/22 season of the NLO.

“The idea behind the Championship Play-Off is simple, and that’s having the overall champion of the NLO season, despite the eight teams earning promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

“Just as we have Rivers United as champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL), the new NLO winner will emerge from the play-off.

“We are delighted that the Legacy Pitch, in the Sports City (Surulere) of Lagos is hosting the football fiesta.

“Fans in the cosmopolitan city will get to see the quality of our grassroots football that will be exhibited by the teams that emerged champions.

“Aside from fans catching a glimpse of our good football, they should also be top-notch officiating and quality organisation, which the NLO is known for.

“For followers of the NLO on social media, the play-off matches will be on live stream on the NLO TV App. The essence is for fans not to miss any action of the games but view them in their comfort zones and locations.”

With the eight teams beating the Sunday date for arrival in Lagos and knowing their groupings, the opening fixtures of the championship play-off, get underway from Monday with Group B matches.

Junior Danburam against Madiba FC at 10 am with the second game, Aspire FC and Police Barretta fixed for noon.

The Group B fixture will see Mailatarki Care FC tackle FC Ebedei at 2 pm while the last game for Matchday One between Smart City and Kun Khalifa FC is fixed for 4pm.

A total of 8 teams secured promotion to the NNL after they finished the season top of their groups and emerged victorious in the promotion playoffs.

The playoffs, which was hosted at neutral venues, had Smart City FC (Lagos State), Madiba FC (Lagos State), FC Ebedei (Ogun State), Police Barretta FC, Kun Khalifa FC (Imo State), Aspire FC (Anambra State), Jnr Danburan (Katsina State) and Mailatarki Care FC of the Federal Capital Territory, earning promotion to the Nigerian National League(NNL).

The eight teams will at the Legacy Pitch in Surulere, Lagos will slug it out in the championship play-off to determine the overall winner for the NLO 2022 season.

With arrival date for teams fixed for Sunday October 2nd, the opening fixtures of the championship play-off are JNR Danburan versus Madiba (10am), Aspire FC versus Police Barreta (12noon), Mailatarki Care FC versus FC Ebedei (2pm) and Smart City versus Kun Khalifa FC billed for 4pm respectively on 3rd October.

Below is the profile of the eight promoted teams:

MAILANTARKI CARE FC
Founded in 2021, the name Mailantarki Care FC was derived from the owner’s name – Hon Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki – who created the football academy from his Foundation, Mailantarki Care Foundation, in order to discover and promote young talented players to professional level locally or internationally.

Mailantarki Care FC is affiliated to the FCT Football Association and duly registered and participated in both the FA Cup and Division I of the Nigeria Nationwide League One, where it was promoted in 2022 to the 2nd Tier Nigeria National League (NNL) in its first ever appearance in the NLO.

Nigeria’s U-17 World Cup winning coach Manu Garba OON is the club Technical Director and he guided the team to the achieve the aforementioned promotion as well as other international achievements in the 2022 Dana Cup and Norway Cup in Hjørring and Oslo respectively.

FC EBEDEI
FC Ebedei was founded in 1998 in Lagos, from where it moved to Sagamu in Ogun state. FC EBEDEI graduands regularly appear in the prestigious UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE for several European clubs as a result of the success of the club in selling players to clubs in Europe.

From inception FC EBEDEI has consistently graduated her alumni to the very top of World football, including the five top leagues of Europe and the senior national teams of Nigeria, with notable players such as Obafemi Martins, Ayodele Makinwa, Oluwafemi Ajilore, Paul Ebere Onuachu, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika Nwadike among others having their roots in the club. Interestingly FC EBEDEI has been champion of all tiers/divisions of the Nationwide League One.

MADIBA FOOTBALL CLUB
Madiba Football Club (often nicknamed ‘The Moving Train’) is a Nigerian football club based in Oshodi, Lagos state.

Founded in 2017 by Alhaja Adebisi Adeyemi Basirat, the club is primarily set up as an initiative to have a grassroots football club as a platform for recreational activity among the youth and also to serve as an avenue to discover talents and provide a pathway for such talented youth to keep away from anti-social vices and behaviour in the community.

In 2018, the continuous hard work of the club saw them finish 2nd in their first season in the Nationwide League One (NLO). In 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 season, Madiba FC also finished second in the NLO.

In the 2021/2022 season, Madiba FC maintained an unbeaten record in fourteen league matches in their C1 group, and on August 20, 2022, after topping the table, Madiba FC secured promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) after beating Beyond Limit FC from Ogun state on penalties at the NLO play-off held at the Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasingba Ibadan.

KUN KHALIFAT FC
Kun Khalifat Football Club was founded in 2020 by Mr. Michael Chukwudi Amaefula (Chairman). The club is based in Owerri, Imo State and they play their home games at (OISA) Onwubike International Soccer Stadium Ngor-Okpala, Imo State.

The club reached the NLO play-off in 2021 and won the AITEO Cup 2022 in Imo State, also topping their group at the end of the the Nationwide League One (NLO) 2022 season to gain Promotion to Nigeria National League (NNL).

Kun Khalifat Football Club is a full-time football club that takes part in national competitive games to enhance the rapid and professional growth of its players and provide exposure for their players to national and international football.

POLICE BARETTA FC
Police Baretta FC is a Nigeria Police team based in Gombe, Gombe state. The club is sponsored by the Nigeria Police Force under special dispensation of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, and serves as the police team. The chairman of the club is Garba Sule Yaro while the technical adviser is Coach Omatiga Gabriel.

Police Baretta FC was promoted to NLO Division 1 in 2019 and topped their group in the 2022 NLO season to gain promotion to NNL

SMART CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Smart City Football Club is based in Lagos and is registered to train, develop and promote youth development through sports. Affiliated to Lagos state Football Association (LSFA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Smart City FC is a club grown from the love of the game of soccer and managed by experienced staff made up of former football players and sports administrators with decades of experience, and with a dedication to developing future football players.

Smart City FC sets out its mission to provide instructional and competitive youth football opportunities that enhance character, community and love of the game, while also integrating development of self-esteem, self-confidence, teamwork, respect for self and other, and all the inherent benefits of physical exercise into its training programme, through quality coaching, sound leadership and absolute sincerity of purpose.

The club is solely sponsored by its President who ensures that it is able to perform many important team-related duties to keep up with other clubs in the NLO fold

JUNIOR DANBURAM FC DAURA
Junior Danburam FC Daura was established in 2002 by the Prince of Daura Alhaji Muhammad Daha Umar, and named after his traditional title of Danburam Daura. It is a privately owned and sponsored club

Junior Danburam FC Daura started with players between 12 and 13 years of age, competing in age grade local competitions where they won many trophies including:

1. Samba Challenge Cup in 2005.
2. Daura Local government Unity Cup in 2006.
3. Daura Emirate (Emir’s Cup) 2007
4. Daura Premier League 2008.
5. Katsina state Muslims/Christians Peace & Unity Cup

In 2009, Junior Danburam FC Daura started participating in the Katsina State Super League Competition where their outstanding performance in the tournament got them an automatic ticket to represent the State in Inter State U-17 Competition held in Kano, where they emerged the runner-up of the competition. Junior Danburam FC Daura also represented Katsina state in President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peace and Unity Cup in 2011/2012 which they won to secure the ticket to represent Nigeria in UEA Dubai for an U-20 Local competition in that country. In 2013, the club were also runner-up in the Katsina State Sure-P Competition and a year later they participated in and won the state Governor’s Cup.

Their entry into Division III of the Nationwide League One in 2016 came about because they won State Super League and in 2017, they gained promotion to Division II of the NLO where they were till they were promoted in 2021/2022 to the NNL.

ASPIRE FC ADAZI- ANI
Aspire Football Club based in Anambra State, was born on 18th of September 2018, at a time when unemployment was rife manifesting in agitations, restiveness and insecurity and solutions that could provide a platform that would offer young people an opportunity for recognition and the expression of their talents.

The young club, made up of 50 amateur talents assembled from different parts of the state, were given a new home and exposed to effective training where their hunger for opportunity was let loose on the football pitch. In their very first season, they went ahead to become Anambra State FA champions defeating the likes of Ifeanyi Uba FC in the tournament. This team of undaunted players further became the NLO Division II champions the same year enabling them gain promotion to NLO Division 1.

The COVID 19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted football activities all over the globe, but right after the lifting of the lockdown, Aspire FC was on the field again topping their NLO Division I Group. Unfortunately for them, they lost at the league play-off, finishing in 2nd place and missing the opportunity for a second consecutive promotion.

In the 2021/2022 NLO Season, Aspire FC once again topped their NLO Division I Group and emerged successful at the playoffs, consequently gaining promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Barrister Churchill Oliseh, President of Nationwide League One (NLO) side, FC Ebedei has once again retriated his stand that football by made a business, rather than just winning trophies.

This was the pivotal point of the discussion as he schooled a delegation of private club owners and managers within the Ekiti football ecosystem, led by the State FA Chairman, Bayo Olanlege.

Oliseh’s August guest were on a working visit to the newly constructed multi-million Naira FC Ebedei Stadium in Sagamu, Ogun State.

Oliseh, the doyen of football business in Nigeria and astute manager stressed that if well administered with right ingredients, there is money to be made in football, hence private club owners and managers must always work towards making profits all times and not just be in the beautiful game for charity.

“Football is never charity, clubs owners need to make proper preparations and seek knowledge.

“The results you get are not by accident, they are by concerted efforts and that is why you must think beyond just winning medals and trophies, money making must be part of your plans as you run your football club at any level.”

Oliseh further noted that learning should be a continuous process if anyone will make headway in football business as the game keeps evolving each day.

“To make profit from your investments in football, you need to seek the right definition of the game by capacity building and networking with the right people.

“The definition of football varies, however what you think of football does not matter, but what the market says should be your ideal.”

Coach of Mavlon FC of Otukpo Kayode Jabala says despite the defeat to Flight FC, that the 2-1 scoreline was not the true reflection of the game as Ibrahim Muhammed Beji was a tormentor and could have earned a point for the team

Scens from the Nationwide League One (NLO) between both teams last weekend showed that Nigeria can unearth talents in the grassroots via the platform provided by the nation’s third-tier league.

Muhammed was able to prove how vital he is through his superb work rate for the team, to the amusement of fans that saw the game.

With his deft touches, ball dribbles and fire power, he was a torn of flesh to Flight FC defence line, as it simply showed why he a player for the future. Reason why he played a pivotal role in the Flying Eagles success at the WAFU B U 20 tournament in May after Nigeria emerged as champions.

“We are not happy with the result, my team gave its best in the game, but football can be cruel sometimes when the result goes the other way and not as planned,” said Jabala in his post-match comments.

“A point from the game should have been the tonic my players needed going forward, and Ibrahim Mohammed, who just joined the squad did put up a Man of the Match (MOTM) performance.

“He has settled down very quickly with his new teammates and played well with my tactical formation for the game.

“Mavlon FC will continue to give room for young players to come and develop themselves. That is the main focus of the club and we strongly believe that Mohammed is here to further develop his game.”

Mohammed who bagged three goals for Nigeria at was acquired from Maikunkele Football Academy of Minna, Muhammed started his football career from Tempo Academy in Minna too.

The Flying Eagles star is a doubt a rear talent with his abilities. At the WAFU B U 20 tournament in Niger, the lanky striker caught the attention of some European and North African scouts, but nothing juicy was offered to lure the player away from Mavlon FC.

The experienced Gaffer resigned from the NLO One side Hammola International FC citing personal reasons.

The former NWFL Premiership side Osun Babes FC Tactician guarded the Ido-Osun based side to back to back Federation Cup (AITEO Cup) finals in Osun State, a feat seen as extraordinary in the history of the modest club.

In a letter delivered to the club’s management, the former Knight FC Head Coach thanked the Club for the opportunity given to him to serve.

“I Abdulazeez AbdulRazak wish to inform you of my decision to resign from my position as Head Coach of Hammola International FC due to personal reasons,” Hoppers said.

“My decision to leave is 100% based on personal reasons. Having achieved alot during my two years at Hammola International FC, it’s hightime to face another challenge as a coach.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the club, not forgetting the entire players, supporters, technical Crew, management and the good people of Ido-Osun.

The young Manager was incharge of the club for less than two years and led the Club to seven (7) finals in his first season, winning three (3) and losing four (4) in the process. His next destination will be announced in some few weeks.

With the successful conclusion of MatchDay 9 games across the country last weekend, the Nationwide League One (NLO) has informed clubs that the season will go on two weeks break from Monday 16th to 31st May 2022.

Secretariat of the nation’s third-tier domestic league says, it expects clubs to use the period to fortify their squad by registering additional players for the conclusion of the 2022 season.

As the Division One clubs go on the two weeks recess, the NLO has also inform that it will use the window to play the NLO 2022 Division Two League season scheduled to commence from Sunday 22nd to Saturday 28th May 2022.

It will be a beehive of activities for two weeks as a total of sixteen (16) venues drawn from  the six geo-political zones in the country will host the Division Two season.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat have released a list of 16 Coordinators and contacts of host Football Association that will ensure a hitch-free hosting of the season. 

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sola Ogunowo and respected Sports Journalist, Tunde Shamsudeen are to respectively coordinate activities in Sagamu (Ogun State) and Ejigbo (Osun State).

Other Coordinators are Kabiru Adekunle (Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State), Abideen Fasasi (Ilorin, Kwara State) Bright Nwanosike (FCT, Gwagwalada), Tanko Mayaki (Zaria, Kaduna State), Aliyu Kazeem (Jos, Plateau State) and Mike Oyinu (Bauchi State).

Respected On Air Personalities (OAP) Radio and Sports Journalist, Franci Achi will be in charge of activities in Kwale, Delta State, Bernard Joma (Iyahmo, Edo State), Kasarachi Nzeh (Ngor-Okpala, Imo State), Murtala Sambo (Dutse, Jigawa State), Ebere Amarizu (Umuahia, Abia State), Ibrahim Baba-Ali (Daura, Katsina State), Abdul Babarabi (Lafia, Nasarawa State) and Salisu Musa (Damaturu, Yobe State).

Meanwhile,  the prospective NLO Division Two clubs are advised to complete all registration procedures before Thursday May 19, 2022.

Recall in the last one month, the Secretariat of the nation’s third-tier league invoked varying degrees of sanctions on some clubs, and forwarded names of match officials and a Training Officer found to have breached the ethics of the game to Nigeria Football Federation Referees Department for investigation.

Through its Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo who has been working round the clock to ensure a hitch-free season, rolled out sanctions to erring teams for breaches of the NLO Rules and Framework.

According to Ogunowo, “The NLO is like any league body you find all over the world and it’s saddled with the core values of organizing the league and punishing clubs for going against its rules.
“For God sake, why would a club go against the rules to perpetrate fraud by tampering with players license. Some of these clubs officials think because there are so many teams in the league and no such way the NLO can suspect any foul play.
“That’s a fallacy as the NLO has a machinery in place to serve as checks and balances in each zone.
“Having invoked sanctions on clubs for their wrong doings, we have been getting commendations from other teams for the prompt decisions of the Secretariat.
“The clubs now have a firm belief in the NLO Secretariat that they can instantly judge with the interpretation of the rules. Long run effect, club owners now feel comfortable as they can get value for investment on teams in the league.”

Meanwhile, The South East Director of NLO, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ebere Amaraizu has commended the action and step taken against those in the habit of bringing football activities to disrepute especially in the areas of officiating and other football misconduct.
Amaraizu, who also is the National Coordinator Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), expressed excitement with the action and step taken in which nine (9) Center referees and a Training Officer (from Ondo State Referee Council) involved in acts inimical to ethics to the game were reported to the Nigeria Football Federation Referees Department for necessary action.
The Police boss described it as an expression of the firm stand of the Board and Secretariat on its zero tolerance policy on biased officiating which is capable of bringing the beautiful game to disrepute.
He noted that the NLO is an organized league body with widespread partnership with relevant agencies like the POCACOV, I.C.P.C amongst others and cannot afford to tolerate acts capable of smearing the efforts of the league body and reputation.
The Director however commended the Chairman of NLO, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali and the Secretariat led by the Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo for acting promptly and offering to maintain the standard through continuous monitoring of NLO league centres for necessary compilations.

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has slammed Kurfi Tiger a Six (6) points deduction for perpetrating fraud on players license.

Investigations revealed that officials of the club tampered with license of 10 players thereby warranting the wrath of the nation’s third-tier domestic league Secretariat.

In a statement released by it’s Media Department regarding the fraudulent act by Kurfi Tiger management read: “Kurfi Tiger FC have lost 6 points due to criminal act, as they doctored official players license and it was discovered by their opponents.

“Our own investigation showed that Kurfi Tiger had committed the crime in the Group G1A MatchDay 6 game away to Jedo Academy and MatchDay 7 home game against Kanta Warriors.”

According to article 3.01(7) of the NLO rules book: Only Player who holds valid players License shall be eligible to participate in the League. In case of transfer, the players must have fulfilled all the necessary transfer procedures and have been cleared accordingly before being eligible to play/participate in the League, any club that uses an unduly registered player shall be made to lose the match or all the matches that this player was discovered to have featured in previous games, and the point will be awarded to the opponent by 3 points and 3 goals, with further sanction from the NLO Secretariat.

By this, Kurfi Tiger have forfeited Six (6) point already got this season.

Going by it’s zero tolerance policy regarding biased officiating in the league, the Board of the Nationwide League One (NLO) has directed its Secretariat to report some Referees found breaching the ethics of the game to Nigeria Football
Federation Referees Department for investigation.

Recall in April, NLO began the compilation of a list of match officials to be scrutinized and sanctioned, owing to allegations made by some clubs that some referees had thrown professionalism to the mud by aiding and abetting some few teams to get results.

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Olushola Ogunnowo who frowned at such action, did say that the Secretariat of the nation’s third-tier domestic league would continue to monitor match officials, protect and ensure the integrity of the outcomes of the games.

In taking the angry bull by its horns, nine (9) referees who officiated during the first round of the ongoing NLO 2022 Division One season and a Training Officer are to face the long arm of the law.

Top on the list is Tolu Akinfemisoye, Ondo State Referee Council Training Officer who on 5th of May interfered in the game between Akure City and Hammola FC with a view of compromising the game in favour of the home team.

Two Center Refs from Bauchi State, Yakubu Gambo and Abubakar Baba were respectively found for misconduct in the matches involving Deluxe FC vs Mighty Jet Feeders and Ramcy Utd vs Giodano FC.

Ugorgi Chisom and Otuka Emmanuel both Center Refs from Abia State were found to have performed below the par in Leopard FC vs FC Ona-Pal and Kun Khalifat vs SKE FC matches.

Ofem Cletus from Enugu State was not speared as he was found to have been biased in the game between Supreme King and Kun Khalifat.

Finally, the quartet of Rabiu Moud (Jigawa State), Alabi Jimoh (Oyo State), Jinad Oluwaseun (Ogun State) and Babalola Samson (Osun State) all Centre Refs were found to have misconducted themselves in these matches.

Samba Kurna vs Clever Warriors, TCCG FC vs Ojodu City, TCCG FC vs Real Sapphire and BYT vs Tradesafe Sport FC.

However, the NLO Secretariat has hereby reiterated that clubs should always submit their matches video recording for review.

The management of Nationwide League One (NLO) has began the compilation of referees found wanting and for scrutiny and sanction by the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Referees Committee.

The swift response, came as a result of allegations made by some clubs that some match officials have thrown professionalism to the mud by aiding and abetting some few teams to getting results.

The NLO Chief Operating Officer (COO), Olushola Ogunnowo in a statement released by it’s Media Department, said that the Secretariat of the nation’s third-tier domestic league will continue to monitor match officials, protect and ensure the integrity of the outcome of the games.

A dissatisfied Ogunnowo stated further, “To the Club Presidents and officials, I sympathize with you because I share your pain.

“But in as much as you are reporting these incidences, the NLO Secretariat has always been demanding for a genuine evidence on video to enable us take decisive action on these radicals.

“Clubs should endeavor to submit official complaints and not just verbal excuses.

“Anyway we are already compiling names of those we have and they shall be suspended pending investigation into their actions during league matches.”

He further gave a stern warning to clubs to refrain from acts of intimidation and other possible acts that might diminish the spirit of the game.