NNL officials killing Nigerian football, says T-Akoma FC

•Threatens to boycott match against Papilo FC in Owerri

Not satisfied with the conduct of officials of the Nigerian Nationwide League (NNL) in on-going 2015/2016 season, the management of T-Akoma Football Academy of Warri, Delta State has threatened to boycott their last match against Papilo FC this weekend in Owerri, Imo State.

The Nigerian Nationwide League Championship will end this weekend and top officials of the NNL are being accused of ‘match-fixing’ for allegedly working in favour of Papilo FC in their promotion battle.

T-Akoma FC said in a message to The Guardian yesterday that: “We wish to bring to the notice of the general public the gross misconduct of the NNL concerning our home match that was to be played on August 4, 2016 at the Warri City Township Stadium. T-Akoma FC has kept all rules and regulations governing the football game in the on-going 2015/2016 Nigerian Nationwide League Championship. And the match between T-Akoma FC Vs Ibom Youth FC that was supposed to be played at the Warri City Township Stadium was taking to Benin City. Curious as it may, a letter was sent to us while we were already at the pitch (which was less than 24hours), bearing in mind the financial implication of playing our home game in an away ground (Benin City) is appalling. It also has a traumatic and psychological impact on the players and officials, which has dire consequences.

“Sequel to the said letter, we replied immediately of our inability to honour the match in Benin City, and the NNL have not responded, instead they have fixed the next match between T-Akoma FC and Papilo FC for August 19 without finalizing the issue at stake,” the club stated.

Speaking further, T-Akoma FC said: “Thus, we want to use this medium to inform the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Nigerian Nationwide League, all clubs concern and the general public to note that, we may not honour the match between T-Akoma FC and Papilo FC, if the said issue is not settle. In other not to throw the beautiful game of football into disrepute and to encourage private club owners who spent their hard earn money in Youth Development, we therefore crave the indulgence of the General Public and those concern to come to our aid.