UNITY MATCH: Atlantic Business FC and Grassrunners FC make amends for NLO post-game squabble

Nigerian third-tier football teams, Atlantic Business FC and Grassrunners FC, participated in a friendly game aimed at promoting peace and unity between the two clubs.

The novelty game dubbed the “Unity Match” saw ABFC come from behind to emerge 3-1 winners at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Both teams intend to send a strong message of unity with the hashtag #NOTOFOOTBALLHOOLIGANISM and the following joint message, “We unite to say no to hooliganism in football. We advocate for peace and a respectful environment at every game. Together we say no to violence, aggression and disruptive behaviour that undermines the enjoyment of the game for everyone involved.”

The hooliganism referenced was a post-match brawl the last time these two teams met in what can be retroactively described as “the Shagamu shame.”

On matchday 5 of the recently concluded first phase of the National League One season in the Shagamu Ebedei centre, Atlantic Business beat Grassrunners FC 2. However, the game did not end in normal circumstances.

At the blast of the final whistle, a nasty brawl broke out, which multiple eye-witnesses confirmed that Jimoh Olamilekan Ibrahim, Grassrunners’ number 19 on the day, instigated and set off the violence by landing the first punch on his unsuspecting opponent.

The fact that the player in question was summoned to the NLO office to face disciplinary measures, as well as getting banned from the tournament along with four of his teammates, lends credence to those claims.

In the end, both teams were punished with a 100,000 fine apiece, and each had multiple players suspended for the remaining six NLO matches.

Credit where it’s due to the NLO with a swiftness and decisiveness that is uncommon in Nigerian football, given how the situation was handled.

Both teams involved have since put out statements condemning the acts of May 6th and assuring their supporters and the NLO that internal disciplinary measures would be taken as well.

The purpose of the Unity Match was to show that there remains no bad blood between these two institutions, and the post-game dinner between both sets of players and staff members was a nice touch.