Chief operating officer of the third-tier Nationwide League One (NLO), Dr Olushola Ogunnowo has given an assurance that the division’s new competition starting on Saturday will be better structured and more competitive than ever.
Sports247 reports that Ogunnowo gave the bold assurance while disclosing that fixtures for this year’s NLO Cup will be played on home and away basis, in contrast with the previous knockout format that limited the number of games played per team.
While noting that the new home-and-away league format will ensure more playing chances for participating clubs, depending on the total number of teams in each zone, Ogunnowo added that many teams can host their home games at the same venue during the week or weekends.
He added that a major benefit of the new NLO Cup format is increase in the number of matches for each team, through a broader schedule of competitive games and expanded fixtures.
Ogunnowo added that the expansion will also allow clubs to host more home games, entertain their supporters, get more experience from away matches, give players more competitive exposure, increase community engagement, and strengthen their commercial prospects.
“The revitalised NLO Cup advances a more structured and competitive environment for NLO clubs. With more fixtures, players can showcase their skills, coaches can improve teams, and clubs can enhance their competitive identity.
“The home-and-away format will motivate clubs to enjoy the excitement of playing in front of supporters and to tackle the challenges of away games.”
Sports247 gathered further that the official start date for the new NLO Cup is this Saturday, October 10, ahead of which eligible clubs from NLO Division 1 and NLO U19 Youth League have been directed to pay a non-refundable registration fee of one million naira.
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