By Amaechi Agbo

Three clubs, Lobi Stars, Enyimba and Abia Warriors had their requests for fixtures adjustment declined by the IMC which cited the need to maintain fidelity of fixtures and to avoid future fixture congestion. 

Lobi sought to reschedule their matchday 7 fixture against Dakkada while Abia Warriors also requested a shift in date for the game against Wikki Tourists and Enyimba is requesting a change in date for their matchday 8 game against Shooting Stars.

Abia Warriors was consequently directed to host Wikki Tourists at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on same date just as Lobi were advised to make adequate arrangement to play their matchday 7 game on the scheduled date of February 11.

In a separate development, Abia Warriors have been provisionally permitted the continued use of the Umuahia Township Stadium for the remainder of the first stanza of the season being MatchDay 9. Subsequently, the ground would be evaluated to decide if it meets club Licensing Infrastructure requirement.

Still on Infrastructure requirement of the Club Licensing, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) are also have their home ground, the Lekan Salami Stadium on provisional approval. The IMC wrote the club, saying, “The present condition of the playing turf at the Lekan Salami Stadium, is not television friendly and falls short of acceptable standards. You are therefore directed to take immediate steps to improve the condition of the playing pitch before the end of the first half of the season (Week 9)”. The club was warned that failure to comply would lead to its home games moved to an alternate ground before the start of the second stanza.

Other decisions reached by the IMC include the lifting of suspension of Jumbo Wisdom, considered to have served adequate punishment for card offences and therefore eligible to feature for Doma United in MatchDay 7 against Rangers. The reprieve was granted owing to conflicting accounts in the preliminary and substantive match reports of the Referee.