ABS Ilorin FC will play in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) again, after playing for three seasons in the second-tier Nigerian National League.
They walked over Gateway United of Abeokuta in a Match Day fixture on Sunday.
Gateway occupied the top position in Group B2 before Sunday’s final day fixtures on goal difference, tied on 21 points with ABS.
However, the visiting team refused to play, citing security lapses. After the mandatory 30-minute wait, centre referee Hamza Garba from Kano blew the whistle, confirming a walkover.
“I’m delighted we’ve technically won the game as stipulated by the rules,” ABS Ilorin coach, Henry Makinwa told Completesportsnigeria.com at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Sunday.
“I don’t know why they (Gateway United) refused to play. They were right there in the stadium but what justifiable reason they can have for not playing is beyond me and beyond reasoning.
“If security is their reason, I think they got it wrong. There were enough policemen here, about 50-60 of them so why should they not play?
“At worst, they could have played under protest but as it is right now, I can say congratulations to my team for making it possible for us to get promoted back into the Nigeria Professional Football League.”
In reaction to the decision, Ogun State leader of delegation and Commissioner for Sports, Afolabi Afuape, insisted that the lives of his players was more important than possible promotion.
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