Disappointment As NNL Fails To Kick Off As Scheduled

  Disappointment As NNL Fails To Kick Off As Scheduled By Niyi Busari The Nigeria National League (NNL) that was scheduled to kick off on Friday (today) in Abuja and Katsina State couldn't hold fmatch officials failed to show up, BSNSports.com.ng can report. Investigation by BSN Sports revealed that the referees have not received their money in the aborted 2019/2020 season. Though, there was assurance from the NNL that they will be paid and have had meeting with the Nigeria Referee Association who in return assured that the match officials will be available. The second tier League management had on Wednesday announced  the League commencement date and assured Nigerians that the season will run without hitches. Two games are expected to kick off simultaneously in two different centers, the matches lined up for today involved EFCC FC of Abuja and FC Taraba in group A1, also Malumfashi FC are expected to host Zamfara United in group A2. The former game is scheduled for Area 3 Playing Ground while the latter is billed for Abubakar Labo Malumfashi Stadium, Katsina State with both games expected to kick off at 4pm. The Match Commissioner for EFCC FC versus FC Taraba, Mr Abdul who arrived the stadium two hours before kick off said he left Lokoja this morning after he received call the same day to come to Abuja as the official for the game. When asked why the referees were not on the pitch, he stated that he knew nothing about the officials and the appointment. "I was called this morning to be in Abuja as Match Commissioner and left Lokoja for Abuja immediately. As for the referees, I can't speak for them because I don't even know who is appointed to officiate the match. I can't say if the referees were notified last night or this morning." Disappointed not to lead his team into pitch with the aim of picking three points, the head coach of Taraba United said the sudden postponement will affect the morale of the players, though he assured their fans that he will veto work on their psyche to achieve their aim. He lamented about the lack of funds to cater for the extra expenses. "We are disappointed not to play the match today because that will affect the morale of my players who come here for maximum points. I dont how we are going get extra funds. As it is, weekly need more money but I will not allow that to affect our plan of winning here." NNL official who pleaded anonymity was more disappointed when speaking with BSN Sports. According to him, the Referee Association assured them of deploying their men to match venues. "This is a national disgrace, I can't believe this, he lamented. We had meetings and they assured us that they will be at match venues. Yes, we are owing them but that has been ironed out. We are trying to package this League and some people are trying to mess things up." When contacted, the Chief Operating Officer of the NNL, Emmanuel Adesanya could not explain why the officials were not at the stadia but optimistic that the two matches will be played tomorrow morning. "I don't know why they're not there but we will settle whatever may responsible for their absence and the matches should be played tomorrow."