The Nationwide League One (NLO) Secretariat has summoned Cynosure FC, E-World FC, and Liberty Lions to Abuja on Tuesday, as the Nigerian third-tier football league body seeks to uncover the truth behind allegations of match-fixing levelled against Liberty Lions and E-World FC in the final round of matches at the Calabar Centre of the 2025 NLO playoffs, Completesports.com can exclusively report.
Cynosure FC had submitted a strongly worded petition alleging foul play in the match between Liberty Lions and E-World FC. The club questioned the integrity of a team fielding only seven players in a decisive group-stage match, particularly after having honoured their previous six fixtures with a full squad.
While FIFA regulations do permit a team to start a match with as few as seven players—the minimum legally required to begin play—this is generally allowed only under exceptional circumstances, such as a sudden outbreak of illness, injuries without available substitutes, suspensions, or logistical failures beyond a team’s control. Cynosure FC argued that, in the absence of any officially declared force majeure, the move appeared to be a deliberate ploy to influence the match outcome.
Completesports.com understands that, based on Cynosure FC’s protest, the NLO has now instructed all involved clubs to appear in Abuja on Tuesday with any evidence regarding what transpired on the day of the controversial fixture.
“Yes, we’ve received communication from the NLO Secretariat that all parties should come to Abuja on Tuesday concerning what happened on the final day at the Calabar Centre of the NLO playoffs,” Prince Chidiebere Nweze, President and sole financier of Cynosure FC, confirmed on Saturday.
The Calabar Centre episode is just one of several controversies, outcries, and ongoing concerns that have continued to trail the 2025 NLO playoffs across the country.
On Friday, the NLO ordered a discreet investigation into the astonishing 15–2 thrashing of A&A Kiviasennus by Campos FC, in one of the matches held at Awka City Stadium.
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In addition to allegations of irregularities at certain centres, there have also been complaints about poor organisation, lack of security, and inadequate medical support.
“We paid as much as ₦600,000.00 as registration and participation fees for this playoff, and we were made to understand that there was a sponsor involved. Yet, we’ve been playing with our club’s match balls, with none provided by the sponsors,” Isaac Mbika, Sporting Director of Giant Brillars FC, lamented.
“There has been no police presence and barely any medical team—except for the ones brought by the clubs. It’s not fair.”
By Sab Osuji
