By Andrew Abah, Abuja
Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), George Aluo, has praised the quality and organization of the ongoing NNL Super Four in Ikenne, describing the tournament as a major step forward for Nigeria’s second-tier league.
Speaking with journalists at the competition venue on Wednesday in Ikenne, Aluo said that the NNL has successfully taken the Super Four “to another level,” highlighting the impressive atmosphere, quality officiating and world-class facilities at the stadium in Ikenne.
According to him, the venue ranks among the very best in the country.
“The ambience is very good. The stadium is world class — outside the Nest of Champions in Uyo, this is the best in the country. The playing turf is fantastic and the teams are playing very good football,” Aluo said.
He added that the crowd turnout and officiating throughout the competition have also been commendable.
“The referees have done a good job officiating under a relaxed atmosphere. Everything put together has been amazing and I am really impressed,” he stated.
Aluo attributed the league’s improved standards to the strict measures put in place by the NNL board, stressing that the league refused to allow manipulation or foul play during the regular season. He also commended Toptier Sports Management for their professionalism, saying, “Toptier Sports Management have raised the bar with their massive investment and commitment to excellence.”
He credited the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, for giving the league leadership maximum support.
“We have been strict and we have not allowed anybody to mess up the system. The backing we received from the NFF president helped us go all the way to ensure credibility,” he said.
The NNL boss explained that the league maintained a level playing field across all conferences, ensuring clubs earned results fairly.
“If you deserve to win away, you win. If you deserve a draw, you get it. We were always ahead of any attempt to bring the game into disrepute,” he added.
Aluo revealed that at critical stages of the season, the league deployed top referees from the NPFL and even made last-minute officiating changes when necessary to protect the integrity of matches.
He expressed delight that all four promoted clubs to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) are privately owned sides, describing it as evidence that football investment is beginning to pay off in Nigeria.
The promoted clubs — Inter Lagos, Sporting Lagos, Ranchers Bees and Doma United — were commended for their commitment to development and infrastructure.
Aluo particularly applauded the investment of Kunle Soname in the Remo Stars Stadium, noting that private sector involvement remains the future of Nigerian football.
“This is not a government-funded outfit. Soname has invested heavily in football and today we are seeing one of the best facilities in the country here in Remo,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Super Four will conclude with simultaneous matches on Friday, as Ranchers Bees take on Doma United while Inter Lagos face Sporting Lagos to determine the eventual champions.
Aluo expressed confidence that the promoted teams would compete strongly in the NPFL next season, noting that the early conclusion of the NNL calendar now gives the clubs enough time to properly prepare ahead of the new campaign.
“Unlike previous seasons where promoted teams had little time to prepare, these clubs now have an advantage because they can start planning early while the NPFL season is still ending,” he concluded.
