NYML/NLO25: 32 Teams Compete For Promotion To NNL

By Muzammil Dalhatu Yola

The fixtures for the 2025 season of the New Year Mega Lottery (NYML) Nationwide League One (NLO) have been officially announced, featuring a total of 32 teams from across the country competing for promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL). This was confirmed in a statement signed by Olushola Ogunnowo, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NLO.

According to the COO, the promotion will be determined through a round-robin format, with teams divided into 8 groups of 4. Each team will play three matches, and the group winners will qualify directly for promotion to the NNL.

For the fixtures at Slot 1 (Ijebu-Ode Stadium), the matchups will feature the Winner of Legacy Pitch A against the Winner of Maracana B, while the Winner of Legacy Pitch B will face the Winner of Maracana A.

In Slot 2 (Legacy Pitch), the Winner of Ikorodu A will compete against the Winner of Ebedei, and the Winner of Ikorodu B will go up against the Winner of Ilaro.

Proceeding to Slot 3 in Akure, the Winner of Asaba will meet the Winner of Iseyin, and the winners of Ile-Ogbo and Ijebu-Ode will also go head-to-head.

Slot 4 will take place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, where the Winner of Calabar Centre will host the Winner of Awka, and the Winner of Uyo will face the Winner of Oisa.

In the Northern Zone, Bwari Stadium in Abuja has been selected as the venue for Slot 5. This will feature a Kwara Derby, with the Winner of Kwara 1 taking on the Winner of Kwara 2, and the Winner of Lafia clashing with the Winner of Minna.

Match action for Slot 6 will occur at the newly revamped Lafia Stadium in Nasarawa State, where the Winner of Jos will play against the Winner of FCT Centre 1, while the Winner of FCT Centre 2 will compete with the Winner of Bwari Centre.

At Slot 7 in Jos Stadium, the Winner of Bauchi Centre will go up against the Winner of ABS Kaduna Centre, and the Winner of Gumel Centre will face the Winner of Gom/Num/Yobe Centre.

Finally, Slot 8 will be held in Gumel, Jigawa. The winner from Sokoto Centre will compete against the winner of the Barau Centre, and the winners of the Sani Abacha Stadium Centre and Bichi Centre will also battle it out.

In addition to the main matches, there will be additional round-robin fixtures in the various centres.

The NYML/NLO 2025 season officially kicked off on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, with all 32 centres hosting matches.

Ogunnowo described this development as "great" and expressed his excitement at the prospect of young, talented players showcasing their skills on the pitch.

Comments

FASTE Emerges Overall Winner of ADUSTECH 12th Inter-Faculties Sports Competition

By Muzammil Dalha Yola The 12th edition of the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil (ADUSTECH) Inter-Faculties Sports Competition came to a close on Thursday, August 7, 2025, with a thrilling football final between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science and Technology Education (FASTE) at the University's football pitch. The match was highly contested, with FASTE emerging victorious, winning 1-0 against the Faculty of Engineering. The Faculty of Science secured the 3rd position in football, showcasing their skills and determination throughout the tournament. The overall winner of the competition was FASTE, which accumulated an impressive 19 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze medals, totaling 29 medals. This outstanding performance solidified their position as the top faculty in the competition. The Faculty of Earth and Environmental Services (FAEES) came in second, with 4 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals, totaling 18 medals. The Faculty of Agricultu...

Shehu Jinjiri: A Tactical Genius And Visionary Football Coach

By Muzammil Dalha Yola Shehu Jinjiri is a name that is synonymous with football excellence in Nigeria. A young and ambitious coach from Kano State, Jinjiri has made a name for himself in the football world with his impressive credentials and achievements. With a career spanning over two decades, Jinjiri has established himself as a top-notch coach with a passion for developing young talents and promoting football in Nigeria. Born on April 14, 1979, in Kano State, Jinjiri's educational background is a testament to his dedication to learning and personal development. He attended Rinda Tozo Primary School in Gaya, where he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1991. He then proceeded to Zawan Comprehensive Secondary School in Jos, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 1996. Jinjiri furthered his education at Science Secondary School in D/Tofa, Kano State, where he obtained his National Examination Certificate (NECO). He also attended Bay...

Wikki Tourists Fans' Treatment of Coach Abdu Maikaba and His True Value

By Aminu Maikaba Coach Abdu Maikaba has spent several seasons leading Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi, steering the club through both difficult moments and historic successes. Despite this, his relationship with a section of the fan base has often been marked by contradiction and unfair treatment. When results do not go Wikki's way, especially after losses or disappointing draws, some fans respond with harsh criticism, insults, and calls for his dismissal, often blaming him alone for poor performances. These reactions, while driven by passion, frequently cross the line into disrespect, ignoring the broader realities of football and collective responsibility. Matches such as the recent draw with Nasarawa United triggered public criticism of his tactics in fan discussions, particularly on social media. However, when the team wins or performs well, Maikaba rarely receives the same level of vocal praise. Recognition is often directed at players, while the coach's role in planning, stru...

SportsZone.NG

Search This Blog