NLO to Review Controversial Playoff After FC Ebedei Walk Off Against Yewa FA

Posted : 29 June 2026

The Nationwide League One (NLO) is set to review the controversial promotional playoff fixture between Yewa Football Academy and FC Ebedei after the match was called off following a walk-off by FC Ebedei players at the Akure Township Stadium on Saturday.

The playoff encounter remained goalless before a collision involving Yewa goalkeeper Olalere Ridwan brought play to a halt late in the first half. Ridwan reportedly lost consciousness after the incident and required immediate medical attention.

According to the official match commissioner's report, the goalkeeper's condition was considered serious, prompting urgent treatment on the pitch.

However, the report stated that FC Ebedei players left the field around the 45th minute and did not return despite repeated efforts by match officials to restart the game.

After observing the mandatory waiting period provided for in the competition's regulations, the referee called off the match with the score still at 0-0.

Yewa Football Academy has rejected claims that the fixture was abandoned because of the goalkeeper's injury, maintaining that the game could have continued once a replacement goalkeeper had been cleared.

Club chairman Mojeed Ibrahim described the incident as damaging to the image of Nigerian football, alleging that FC Ebedei owner, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, instructed his players to leave the pitch without any directive from the referee.

"I was in the stands and found it deeply disturbing, especially as the match was being live-streamed. Viewers witnessed a breakdown of order, which does no good to the image of the league," Ibrahim said.

He stressed that while injuries are an unfortunate part of football, they should not automatically result in a match being terminated.

In a separate statement, Yewa Football Academy said its reserve goalkeeper had already received clearance from the reserve referee to replace the injured Ridwan, adding that all arrangements had been made for play to resume.

"Our second-choice goalkeeper had already been cleared by the Reserve Referee to replace the injured keeper, and the game was ready to continue," the club stated.

Yewa further alleged that FC Ebedei players walked off the pitch without any justifiable reason.

FC Ebedei had yet to issue a public response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

The NLO is expected to examine the match officials' reports before deciding the outcome of the fixture and whether disciplinary action will be taken against either club in accordance with the competition's regulations.

The league's decision is expected to determine the fate of the abandoned playoff fixture while reinforcing the application of competition rules and disciplinary procedures in Nigeria's third-tier football competition.

NLO to Review Controversial Playoff After FC Ebedei Walk Off Against Yewa FA

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