Ijele Sports Club has expressed determination to stage a comeback in the Nationwide League One (NLO 1) after their relegation from the Nigerian National League (NNL).
The club’s Chief Executive Officer, Barrister Ferdinand A. Naza, acknowledged the challenges faced during the season, including logistical issues, inconsistent officiating, and structural problems within the league.
Despite these hurdles, Naza praised the technical team and players for their dedication, describing them as “passionate, professional, and persevering.”
In an emotionally charged end-of-season message, Naza highlighted the positives from the club’s maiden NNL campaign, emphasizing the courage, belief, and growth exhibited by the team.
He commended the coaches for inspiring the players despite limited resources and lauded the players for giving their all on the pitch.
Naza also paid tribute to the fans and sponsors, whose support he said gave the club the strength to keep pushing amid tough conditions. “You have shown that Ijele is more than just a team—it is a movement,” he told the fans.
Despite the relegation, Naza expressed confidence that Ijele Sports Club would use the experience to bounce back stronger in the upcoming season.
“We are returning to the NLO 1 not with bowed heads, but with renewed focus and an iron resolve to correct our shortcomings. We will restructure, we will reinforce, and we will rise,” he vowed.
The club now shifts focus to regrouping ahead of the new season, with plans underway to retool and position themselves for a return to the country’s second-tier league.
Founded with the ambition to serve as a beacon of sporting excellence in the South-East and beyond, Ijele Sports Club’s spirited debut in the professional ranks appears to have laid the groundwork for a promising future. With a renewed focus and determination, the club is poised to make a strong comeback in the NLO 1.