The management of the Nationwide League One (NLO) will be hosting its first night match, as the nation’s third-tier domestic league regulatory body today in Ibadan.
The night fixture tagged ‘Wednesday Night Football’ will be played by Ilaji FC of Ibadan as the host, and Knights FC of Ile-Ife at the Ilaji Stadium.
According to the Secretariat of the NLO, Ilaji FC got the nod to host the fixture with a 6 pm kick-off time after meeting the conditions of hosting such games, which are provisions of alternative power sources, security and other logistics.
Speaking on how and why Ilaji Resort was chosen to host the night fixture, NLO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Olushola Ogunowo said in a statement, “Management of Ilaji FC meeting the NLO requirements didn’t come to me as a surprise as the club host it’s home games at the Ilaji Stadium in Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort Ona-Ara Local Government of Ibadan. So hosting the ‘Wednesday Night Football’ won’t be an issue.
“Yes, electricity is a challenge in the country, and the collapse of the national grid some weeks back raised concern but that didn’t stop major organisations or businesses from functioning as they all have alternative power sources, from generating power plants and solar installations.
“Ilaji is one of the big resorts in Nigeria and they have their alternative power-generating sources that can power their facilities 24hours and 7 days of the week.
“Its security network is top-notch when you look calibre of individuals and indeed foreigners that visit the resort.
“Nigeria been the most populous black nation, we at the NLO are poised to showcasing its grassroots football to other parts of the World with its first night game.
“Once we get it right with the Ilaji FC versus Knights FC game, it will pave way for other interested clubs in the NLO Division One to write the NLO Secretariat of their plans for night fixtures if they have the adequate funds and provisions for other logistics,” he stated.