Aluo Says NNL Relegation Playoff Was A ‘Huge Success’, Insists Board Is ‘Determined, Committed’ To Actualise NFF Boss, Ibrahim Gusau’s Mandate

Photo: George Aluo (left) and his NLO counterpart, Hon. Silas Agara at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Thursday. Photo: Courtesy NNL Media

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

George Aluo, a veteran journalist and Chairman of the Nigeria National League, NNL Board, has spoken highly of the just concluded Nigeria National League relegation playoff concluded Thursday in Kano.

Aluo spoke on the sidelines of the thrilling final matches of the playoff saying it was a ‘huge success’, just as he reckons that the NNL Board he’s saddled with its leadership, was primed to actualize the mandate handed to it by NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, to ensure that ‘we aligned the league with those of othe countries of the World’.

“The 2022/2023 NNL Super 8 Relegation Playoff has been a huge success”, starts Aluo in his usual soft tone.

“This is my debute outing as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria National League, NNL. And I would want to give God all the glory that it was a ‘huge success’.

“I have to thank the Kano State Government for hosting us. As well, I would also want to thank the people of Kano State for turning out en-masse at the Sani Abacha Stadium, and by extension, the alternate Stadium, Kano Pillars Stadium, to watch all our matches.

“I was really impressed with the large turn out and that truly shows that indeed, Kano is actually the home of football in the country. And even the matches that were played in the alternate venue, I was surprised with the kind of crowd that watched it.

“Having said that, let me congratulate the Lagos teams, Ikorodu Utd and Smart City, for retaining their spots in the NNL from the Southern Conference and also, Adamawa Utd and Sokoto Utd for working hard enough to retain their NNL status after the tough Super 8 Relegation Playoffs.

“On the whole, the 2022/2023 NNL Relegation Playoffs Was A good and exciting competition”.

Aluo would also go on to heap plaudits on the match officials who arbitrate the games for ‘living above board’ by posting a ‘flawless’ performances in the handling of the relegation playoffs matches to the delight of all, including even the lovers.

“My greatest joy is that is that officiating during the games was top-notch”, sounded the NNL boss proudly.

“The referees lived up to their billing. No coach, no official, no player left here (Kano), with any atom of complain or I’ll feeling of the usual ‘we’re robbed’ and all that.

“The referees professional, fair and firm in their handling of the matches and that showed clearly that we are indeed moving forward. Our league will get better, competitive and and all that. So, it has been an incredible success”.

With the Nigeria Premier League, NPL, billed to kick off August 26, the NNL Board Chairman revealed that the second-tier league, NNL, would kick off in September or early October.

He hinted that the specific kick off date would be determined after the NNL Annual General Meeting which will involve Chairmen of the NNL Club’s.

“First,and foremost, let me say that I’m happy that we’ve concluded the 2022/2023 season with the conclusion of the NNL Relegation,Super 8 playoffs”, Aluo quipped.

“Now, we know the clubs that are going down to the Nationwide League One, NLO, and the ones that are remaining in the NNL.

“And having ended the season successfully, we are now going to take a wholistic look at the 2023/2024 season. And the first thing before we start the (new) season, is to hold our Annual General Meeting, AGM, where the club owners would have to come in for us to rub minds with them as a Board and then we decide when the new season would likely start after the AGM.

“And we are looking at September or October in line with the directive of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, that we should align our league with those of the globe.

“The NPL will be starting later this month, August (August 26 specifically). So, we’re looking at starting the NNL in September, or in the worst scenario, first week of October”.

Following his appointment as NNL Chairman few weeks ago, Aluo says ‘settling down into his new role is a gradual process’.

“Talking about ‘settling down’, I would say it’s a gradual process’, he posited. “So, I wouldn’t say I’ve actually settled down. But atleast we’ve been able to hit the ground running as a board.

“Like I said, we had our debut out here (in Kano) where we organised the NNL Relegation Playoffs. So, settling down is a gradual process. For me, the most important thing is that we’ve hit the ground running and we are fully prepared and ready to actualize the mandate of the NFF,President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, to us that the league should get better.

“So, now, we’ve to begin to plan for the new season. For me, beyond settling down, the major thing is to get the job done by ensuring that the 2023/2024 season we activated plans for it and ensure its success”, the NNL boss stressed.