More controversies have continued to plague the 2025 Nationwide League One (NLO) Promotion Playoffs, scheduled to take place across eight centres in the country, following disciplinary actions by the organisers against clubs accused of match-fixing, Completesports.com reports.
The Promotion Playoffs were originally scheduled to kick off on Thursday, 12 June 2025, at the eight designated venues. However, Completesports.com investigations reveal that matches failed to hold in three centres – Port Harcourt, Sagamu, and Ijebu Ode.
In Port Harcourt, the playoffs were put on hold following an appeal filed before the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee by Cynosure FC. The club contested the decision of the NLO Secretariat to suspend and sanction them after they protested alleged match-fixing involving E-World FC and Liberty Lions. Cynosure FC claimed that Liberty Lions started their final group match in the Calabar Playoff Centre with only seven players, raising suspicions of a compromised match.
However, after reviewing the match officials’ reports, the NLO concluded that Cynosure FC “had no case but raised unnecessary false allegations to bring the game into disrepute.”
In response, Cynosure FC lodged an appeal before the Barrister Mustapha-led NFF Appeals Committee.
At the Sagamu Centre, matches were indefinitely suspended. A circular issued by the NLO to the four participating teams cited an appeal filed by Positive Football Academy, who challenged a sanction placed on them over an alleged match compromise during the group stage.
The four clubs affected in Sagamu – Morak FC, Ekiti United, Adeyemi FC, and Hamuriola FC – were set to battle for the group’s single promotion ticket to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
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Completesports.com also learnt that the Ijebu Ode Centre suffered a similar setback, as the NLO suspended matches following findings of serious irregularities.
According to a statement by the NLO Chief Operating Officer, Shola Ogunnowo, four clubs – ACT di Sports Oyibo FC, Seamoriow FC, Bisson FC, and Franceex FC – were involved in match-fixing during their final group matches, despite the games being played simultaneously.
Each of the four clubs was fined ₦500,000 and expelled from the playoffs. In addition, players and officials from the clubs received two-year bans.
“The NLO Secretariat was convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that there was a compromise,” read a circular sent to the affected clubs, announcing the suspension of the Ijebu Ode Promotion Playoffs.
“For instance, Bisson FC, who conceded only seven goals in eight matches, suddenly conceded nine goals in one game to give Franceex an advantage on goal difference, despite fielding the same set of players as in previous matches. On the other hand, Seamoriow FC, who averaged two goals per game across eight matches, suddenly scored nine in one match in an attempt to outscore Franceex FC on goal difference.”
“Sequel to the above, the NLO Secretariat will apply the rules (Article 4.17) as it pertains to the actions of the culprits.
“The matches played by these clubs on Matchday 9 are hereby cancelled,” the statement concluded.
By Sab Osuji
