By Gbenga Adeleye
The Nationwide League One, NLO, promotional playoff final group game at the Lafia Centre in Nasarawa State between Mighty Jets Feeders and Flight FC has come under serious scrutiny after ending in a controversial 8-3 win for the Plateau-based side.
The result has not only raised questions about the integrity of the league, but has also put the NLO organizers under pressure.
The 8-3 victory handed Mighty Jets Feeders promotion to the Nigeria National League, NNL, on goal difference. What makes it more suspicious is their prior form in the group. The team averaged just a goal per game in their first two matches — losing 3-1 to Bida Lions and winning 1-0 against La Planet — before the sudden 8-3 scoreline against Flight FC.
Questions Over Scheduling
More disturbing is the NLO’s decision not to play the final round of group matches simultaneously.
In every credible football competition, final group fixtures are scheduled to kick off at the same time. This is to guarantee fairness, prevent manipulation, and preserve the integrity of the competition.
Departing from this universally accepted standard raises legitimate concerns and casts a shadow over the credibility of the qualification process.
Football enthusiasts are now asking why the organizers failed to adopt this rule, which is designed to ward off any form of pre-arrangement or manipulation.
This development has further raised doubts about whether the principles of fair play were upheld, and why such a fundamental competition rule was ignored.
Call for Investigation
The league organizers must, as a matter of urgency, review and thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this result and the qualification process if they still want to restore credibility and preserve the integrity of the league.