NLO: Madiba FC crowned Super 8 champion as club CEO targets Premier League

By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Madiba Fc of Oshodi, Lagos Saturday emerged the champion of the 2022 Nation Wide League One Super 8 competition.
In an entertaining finals decided at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos the team defeated hard fighting Mailantarki Care FC of Abuja by 1-0 to emerge winner of the week-long competition.
A first half goal by team captain, Rabiu Nurudeen Babatunde was all the team needed to ensure victory and be crowned this year’s undisputed champion of the third tier League.
Speaking to Journalists at the finals, former 1st Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwumi expressed satisfaction with the successful organisation of the tournament noting that the standard of football artistry displayed by the various teams is a testimony that talents abound at the country’s lower Leagues.
He was particularly happy with the NLO board for organising a hitch free tournament, urging them to keep on improving on their successes which he said is necessary for the country’s grassroots football development.
“I’m particularly happy with what I saw today which is a testimony that talents abound in the lower league. It’s equally important I commend the NLO board for their consistency in.improving the standard of the lower league and I know that all the teams that took part in the week-long championship will give a good account of themselves in the NNL”, he stated.
In her own remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Maliba Fc, Alhaja Adebisi Basirat Adeyemi said the victory will spur her to do more for the club even as she commended their opponents for being a quality opposition.
She explained that her team having conquered the NLO, her target now is to be victorious at the NNL and qualify for the Premier League and hopefully see some of her players moving to Europe to continue their career.
“I’m highly excited with this victory because apart from the championship being very competitive, our opponents in the finals are a good side and gave good account of themselves.
” As we prepare to play in the NNL, my target is to qualify for the elite league and also see some of my players playing for top sides in Europe and by the special Grace of God, we shall achieve it”, she stated with confidence.
Eight teams namely; Khun Khalifa, Fc, Ebedei, Madiba Fc, Police Baretta, Danburam Fc, Smart City Fc, Mailan Tarki Fc and Aspire Fc took part in the championship. All the eight teams have gained promotion to the NNL
and the Super 8 was organised to determine the overall champion of the third tier League.