As the race for promotion heats up at the Ijebu-Ode Centre of the Nationwide League One (NLO) Promotion Playoffs, concerns of potential match-fixing have cast a shadow over the final day of action scheduled for Tuesday.
With just 24 hours to the deciding matches, stakeholders have urged the NLO to be on high alert amid allegations of inducement and suspicious officiating that could compromise the integrity of the league.
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At stake is a single promotion ticket to the Nigeria National League (NNL). After two rounds of matches, the table shows a neck-and-neck race:
Magic Stars FC and Ikorodu City FC are tied on 4 points, though Magic Stars top the group due to a superior goal difference (+1).
Lekki United follow closely with 3 points, while Franceex United sit bottom with no points.
The final fixtures will be played simultaneously at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium — with Magic Stars taking on Lekki United on the Main Bowl, while Ikorodu City face Franceex United on Practice Pitch A.
However, a member of the Nigeria Football & Other Sports Interest Group, speaking under anonymity for security reasons, has raised alarm over alleged efforts to manipulate the outcomes.
“I can confirm that match officials have turned the playoffs here in Ijebu-Ode into a money-making scheme,” the source claimed. “It is alleged that a sum of money has exchanged hands between some members of the Ogun State Referees Council and a team from Lagos State.”
The representative further claimed this is not the first time such allegations have emerged involving the same team, pointing to earlier incidents in the regular season where teams have cause to lament.
There is also growing concern over Franceex United, currently under investigation by the NFF Integrity Unit for alleged match-fixing activities during the regular season when the team defeated Bison 9-0 to emerge the winner of their center.
The club was initially expelled by the NLO, but reinstated by the NFF Appeals Committee as champions of the Maracana Center, a decision that has remained controversial.
The permutations are clear:
A win for Magic Stars will seal the sole NNL ticket, provided Ikorodu City do not record a big-margin victory over Franceex United.
However, a convincing win by Ikorodu City could swing promotion in their favour should Magic Stars falter.
Given the high stakes, observers have called on the NLO Secretariat to closely monitor both matches to ensure fairness and transparency.
“The final day is too critical to allow any manipulation,” the anonymous source added. “The NLO must impose the strictest sanctions on anyone found to be compromising the game — no matter who is involved.”
As the tension builds in Ijebu-Ode, all eyes will be on the NLO to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s football development system
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