Football: AIFL settles for playoffs, no relegation
As some football league organisers are still in a fix over how best to bring their season to an end, the Anambra Independent Football League (AIFL) has decided to round off the 2019/2020 league season through playoff by the top four teams on the league table before it was suspended due to COVID-19.
The decision was contained in a communiqué after a meeting between AIFL management and stakeholders including club owners, coaches and players on Thursday.
The communiqué was signed by Rev. Coach Obinna Dike, Rev. Fr. Uchenna Ogwatta and Godsent Eriobu, the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary of AIFL respectively.
The stakeholders also resolved that there would be no relegation this season and approved the 12-team league format for subsequent seasons.
The clubs present at the meeting were Udala FC, DOSAD FC, GP World FC, Rangels FC, Dynamic Sports Club, Obeledu United, Mekon United.
Ozalla FC and World FA were not represented and had three points deducted from each f their kitty as penalty.
“After much deliberations on way to go in our ongoing season already ravaged by the pandemic break, the league council voted in favour of deciding the first four teams for playoff by using Point Per Game (PPG) module.
According to the communique, the league standing before the break was as follows UDALA FC 11 games, 31 points and 2.82PPG; DOSAD FC, 13 games, 25 points and 1.92PPG; RANGELS FC 12 games, 21 points and 1.75PPG; OZALLA FC 12 games, 17 points and 1.42PPG
“MEKON UNITED FC occupied the fifth position with 10games, 14points and 1.40PPG; GP WORLD FC 11 games, 12 points and 1.09PPG; WORLD FC 13 games, 11points and 0.85PPG; Obeledu United FC 12 games, 9points and 0.75PPG and DYNAMIC SC 13 games, 8points and 0.61PPG.
“From the above table, the first four teams will proceed to league playoff on a date and time that will be communicated later, due to the nature of league closure, there won’t be any relegated team this season,” it stated.
The stakeholders thanked for his protection on AIFL community against COVID-19 scourge which had affected the game negatively across the world while hoping to welcome everyone back to normal life when it was all over.
AIFL urged the participants to be more business like and imbibe best practices in club management by having effective legal and media departments for better organisation and effect.
AIFL is presently in its fourth season, is a private sector organised football league for amateur clubs in Anambra chaired by a FIFA graded coach and licensed referee, Rev. Fr Obinna Dike.
