Lagos-based club 1472 FC has been expelled from the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) after repeatedly failing to honour scheduled fixtures. The club, established in October 2023 by businessman Dozy Mmobuosi, was found guilty of violating Article 14:11 of the NNL rulebook and has been handed a ₦5 million fine in addition to the expulsion.
According to the NNL, 1472 FC missed three league matches in Conference A, including key clashes against Abia Comets FC and Dakkada FC. Matchday 15 marked their third default, triggering disciplinary action under the league’s codified statutes.
NNL Chief Operating Officer Danlami Alanana expressed deep disappointment at the club's disregard for league regulations. "It is an embarrassing situation... despite several warnings, 1472 just wouldn’t heed. We must avoid any action that will drag the NNL into the mud," Alanana stated.
As part of the ruling, all matches involving 1472 FC past and future have been nullified, and related points expunged from the league table effective from matchday 16. The NNL described the decision as a strong message underscoring its commitment to integrity and professionalism in Nigerian football.
Editorial
The expulsion of 1472 FC from the Nigeria National League is more than a disciplinary headline it’s a sobering reflection of the fragility that still plagues some areas of Nigerian club football. This isn’t just about missed matches it’s about missed responsibilities, lost credibility, and broken trust within a system striving for reform.
We understand that football operations come with logistical challenges, especially for newly established clubs. But when a team signs up for a professional league, it commits to more than fixtures it pledges to respect the collective ecosystem that holds Nigerian football together. 1472 FC's repeated no shows show a disregard not just for rules, but for the time, effort, and investment of opponents, fans, and administrators.
The NNL deserves credit for acting decisively. Nigerian football has long battled a reputation for poor governance. This action sends a message that the era of lax enforcement is over. The integrity of the league must be protected at all costs, especially when the country's second tier serves as a pipeline for talent and club growth.
Yet, this case also reveals the need for stricter onboarding requirements. If a club is not ready to compete financially or operationally, it should not be licensed in the first place. Proper vetting, support systems, and financial guarantees can prevent these disruptive episodes in future seasons.
This is a moment of reckoning not just for 1472 FC, but for all aspiring clubs. Professionalism is not optional. It is the foundation of progress.
Did You Know?
- Dozy Mmobuosi, the founder of 1472 FC, made headlines in 2023 with a bid to purchase English Championship club Sheffield United.
- The Nigeria National League (NNL) is the second-highest level of club football in Nigeria, just below the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
- Article 14:11 of the NNL regulations allows for immediate expulsion if a club defaults on three separate fixtures within a single season.
- The NNL has a promotion-relegation structure involving over 40 clubs divided into two main conferences: A and B.
- 1472 FC’s name references the year 1472, when Portuguese explorers first made contact with the Nigerian coastline.
