The Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, Chikelue Iloenyosi, has threatened to write a letter of protest to FIFA and CAF if the Abia State government does not merge Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs, Enyimba and Abia Warriors, the two state owned football clubs.
Both Enyimba Football Club of Aba and Abia Warriors of Umuahia are two professional football sides from the State, currently competing in the NPFL.
Abia Warriors football club was founded in 2003 by the Local Government of Umuahia to provide a platform for young talented footballers in the State. The club also receives sponsorship from the State Government.
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Enyimba Football Club was founded as a State-Owned club in November 1976 in the newly created Imo State. But in August 1991 after Imo State was divided and Abia State was created from the part which included the city of Aba, Enyimba’s hometown, the new State Government took over as owners of the club.
Speaking with Sports Journalists in Abuja, Iloenyosi, a former Nigerian International, said under the law of FIFA and CAF, no state or individual should own more than one club competing in the same domestic League.
“Under the law governing football, no state or individual should own more than one club competing in the same League. Abia State is sponsoring two clubs, Enyimba and Abia Warriors,” Iloenyosi, said.
“If they want to compete, they should merge the clubs to be one. I am calling on the Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to do the needful, or else, I will write a protest letter to FIFA and CAF to fight this illegality. Government in power is a government of integrity.”
Iloenyosi, who is presently the Founder of 042 Football Legends Association, a Charity organisation in Nigeria, therefore called on the organiser of the League and the NFF, under the leadership of Ibrahim Gusau to do the needful in the interest of fair play and justice.
Twenty (20) club sides, including Enyimba of Aba and Abia Warriors of Umuahia competed in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League season.
