Ekomsy FC and Cynosure FC petition NFF for Aba as NLO South East promotional play-off venue

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By Wakawaka Sports

Ekomsy FC and Cynosure FC have submitted a joint petition to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), calling for the immediate relocation of the Nationwide League One (NLO) South East Promotional Zone play-offs from Aba, Abia State to what they described as a completely neutral venue.

In a petition dated July 23, 2026 and addressed to the President of the NFF, the two clubs argued that staging the crucial promotion matches at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba would compromise the principles of fairness, sporting integrity and equal competition.

They argued that the venue gives two of the four participating clubs – Jaguar FC and Right to Win FC, both based in Abia state – an unfair home advantage through a familiar environment, local support and reduced travel logistics.

The clubs also said the appointment of Aba as the host venue presents a serious conflict of interest.

According to the petition, the owner of Right to Win FC doubles as the sporting director of Abia Comets, while the director of sport of Jaguar FC is the media director of Enyimba International FC, the owner of the stadium selected for the play-offs.

They argued that such administrative links could raise concerns about the neutrality of match-day operations and venue management.

Ekomsy FC and Cynosure FC also questioned why the south-eastern promotional zone was not treated the same as other NLO promotional centers across the country, where neutral venues are traditionally adopted for the promotion’s play-offs.

The clubs have insisted that maintaining the same standards in each area is essential to maintaining the credibility of the competition.

As part of their demands, the clubs urged the NFF president to immediately suspend plans to host the play-offs at the Enyimba International Stadium and to direct the NLO secretariat to choose a neutral venue in the South East where none of the participating clubs are based or have administrative influence.

They stressed that such a decision would uphold the principles of fair play, equity and transparency in Nigerian football.

Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Chairman of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, the Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One Secretariat, the Chairman of the South-East Football Stakeholders Forum and the President of the Referees Association of Nigeria, as the clubs expressed confidence that the football authorities will act swiftly in the interest of justice and integrity of the competition.