The chairman of Spartan FC of Lagos, Alhaji Abdullahi Mikail has given a strong assurance that the Agege-based club would readily feature next season in the Nigeria National League (NNL) if they emerge top of the Nationwide League One (NLO).
Mikail gave this assurance after his side went on top of the NLO log in Lagos zone with a 6-1 trouncing of Alimcity FA at Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle on Saturday.
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The result put Spartan top of the log on goals difference, ahead of First Bank FC, who beat Collins Edwin Sports Club 5-1, and Real Sapphire, who won 5-2 against AS Racines.
Afterwards, the players and coach of Spartan echoed their determination to finish top of the NLO Lagos zone and then win the Super-8 play-off to gain promotion to the NNL, but their words drew scorn from critics.
Many observers at the arena bordering Cowrie Creek in the Olodi Apapa axis were sceptical of Spartan accepting the challenge of competing in the second-tier NNL if they pick the ticket, due to financial constraints.
However, Mikail was not hesitant in his response, as he reminded everyone that Spartan had featured before in the NNL and declared emphatically that they were already thinking of doing so again.
He started by expressing happiness with the result but reminded the players and coach how they narrowly missed out on gaining promotion last season when they lost what he felt should have been their easiest game in the play-off.
“Thank God that we won and we won very well. I am happy because it shows that our efforts are not in vain.
“We have planned well. We made sure we put the right things in place for the boys, and now they have to deliver.
“It’s up to them not to repeat the error of last season when we lost the easiest match of the league and narrowly missed promotion. This time, we hope to gain promotion to the NNL.
“We are ready to play in the NNL. We have been there before. So, having seen it once, I don’t see why we can not go again.
“The last time we played, it was difficult, but now I can see that the NNL is very, very easy. So, if we qualify, we are going to play,” Mikail assured emphatically.
It would be recalled that Spartan last played in the second-tier NNL alongside teams like FC Ebedie of Ijebu Ode, 36 Lion of Lagos, Remo Stars of Ikenne and Dakkada FC of Uyo.
