The management of Cynosure FC has formally appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation over the choice of Enyimba Stadium, Aba as host venue for the South East promotion play-offs of the Nationwide League One, NLO, arguing that the decision “betrays the principle of fairness.”
President and CEO of Cynosure FC, Prince Chidi Nweze, raised the objection on Monday, saying hosting the matches in Aba gives undue advantage to Abia State teams in the final series.
The South East play-offs will feature Cynosure FC of Abakaliki, Jaguar FC of Aba, Right2Win FC of Umuahia, and Ekomzy FC of Owerri. Only the eventual winner secures promotion to the Nigeria National League, NNL.
According to Nweze, using Enyimba Stadium is inappropriate because two of the four teams, Jaguar FC and Right2Win FC are from Abia State.
“This is no longer the group stage. This is the final promotion series where only the winner goes up to the NNL,” Nweze said.
“Fairness demands that since two teams in the play-offs are from Abia, the venue should be shifted to any South East state without a team in the play-offs. Or better still, take it outside the zone entirely, maybe to the South.
“That way, all teams enjoy a level playing ground and no one can question the neutrality of the games. The winner should be able to beat his chest and say, ‘yes, we won fair and square.’”
The promotion play-offs are scheduled to begin August 7, but Nweze said the date is now uncertain following the petition.
“We’ve written to the NFF Appeals Committee. We’re not asking for favours, just justice and a level playing ground for all the teams,” he explained.
“Our concern is clear — Abia has two teams in the final play-offs. Taking the game to Aba is a clear neglect of the principle of fairness and we want the NFF to look into it.”
The NLO is yet to respond to the appeal.
With so much at stake, the South East zone now awaits the NFF’s decision on whether the venue will be changed before kickoff.
