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NLO 2026 Season Kicks Off April 10 as Flight FC Face NYSC FC in Makurdi

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12:23 pm

NLO 2026 Season Kicks Off April 10 as Flight FC Face NYSC FC in Makurdi

The wait is finally over for Nationwide League One (NLO) fans, as the 2026 season gets underway on Friday, April 10, with high expectations for an exciting kickoff.

The season-opening fixture will see Benue-based sides Flight FC and NYSC FC go head-to-head at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi. The choice of venue highlights the league’s commitment to bringing football closer to grassroots communities, giving local fans the chance to witness emerging talents display their raw skills.

Speaking ahead of the opener, Chief Operating Officer of the NLO, Dr. Olushola Ogunnowo, expressed optimism about the new season.

“The football excitement is nearing a fever pitch as the curtain rises for the season-opening game at the McCarthy Stadium,” he said.

“The Secretariat has set the tone for the new campaign with the rollout of 46 groupings and the expansion of NLO activities to all states and the FCT. The full fixtures will be released in the coming week.”

Dr. Ogunnowo also highlighted the league’s push toward digital innovation, noting the relaunch of its website as part of a broader transformation aimed at improving engagement with clubs and fans.

“In line with modern trends, the NLO has relaunched its website to deliver a more personalised and engaging experience,” he added.

“To support this transformation, we have partnered with Zkyte Technology. This reflects our commitment to innovation.”

He reaffirmed the league’s long-term vision, emphasizing its determination to evolve in line with the changing needs of Nigerian football.

“We look forward to continuing to grow and improve the Nationwide League One in the years to come,” he said.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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