NNL Keep Mum Over 'Poor Pitches' Ahead Of New Season

NNL Keep Mum Over 'Poor Pitches' Ahead Of New Season

Precious Oham

The board of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Nigeria's second-tier football, have kept mute on the issue of 'poor pitches' as the 2025/26 season approaches, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In a memo, directing clubs aiming to participate in the 2025/2026 season, which is scheduled to kick off on November 8, 2025, the provision of good pitches wasn't listed as part of the requirements for registration.

According to the NNL Secretariat, the registration portal will open on October 6 and close on October 24, giving clubs just over two weeks to complete all necessary formalities.

"Any club that fails to meet the deadline risks missing out on the upcoming campaign. To be eligible, clubs must fulfill several key conditions, including: "Adhering to the registration modalities, submission of Transfer Matching System (TMS) certificates for all registered and transferred players, valid medical certificates for all players and technical officials, insurance certificates for registered players and officials."

NNL Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Danlami Alanana, emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the deadline, stressing that the league intends to follow its calendar without interruption.

“We are doing everything possible to enable us tenaciously to stick to our planned programme of activities and would not want to be distracted. So we advise clubs to stick with us,” Alanana stated.

He urged clubs to take the process seriously, stressing that the clubs have ample time to meet the October 24 cutoff.