The Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi is poised to host competitive football again ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) season, with Ozalla Football Academy opting to use the venue as their home ground under the league’s new home and away format.
The decision marks a revival for the Ozubulu Road facility, which will stage matches beginning when the NLO kicks off on April 10, 2026.
The 2025/26 NLO campaign will be contested in a full home and away format, a change aimed at boosting local fan engagement and competitiveness across Nigeria’s third tier. The league’s Chief Operating Officer confirmed that teams will be grouped regionally to ease travel costs before the April start.
Ozalla FA are nearing completion of their registration and have expressed strong interest in playing their home games at Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, which meets the league’s standards for hosting third tier fixtures.
Anambra State boasts several facilities capable of hosting NLO matches, with the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium joining venues such as Awka City Stadium, Rojenny Stadium in Oba, NEROS Stadium in Nanka, and others as key hubs for grassroots football.
The return of competitive football to Nnewi is expected to stimulate local support and provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills in front of their home fans.
Editorial
The readmission of the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium into the competitive calendar is a welcome development for Nigerian football, especially within Anambra State. After years of top flight and grassroots football, the reopening of this venue for NLO action signals renewed enthusiasm for local football and better infrastructure utilisation. Passionate supporters in Nnewi and its environs now have a dedicated venue where they can rally behind their teams again.
Ozalla FC’s choice of the stadium as its home base reflects a broader trend in Nigerian football where clubs seek to strengthen their community ties and cultivate loyal fanbases. Home and away formats not only heighten competitiveness but also provide vital revenue opportunities for smaller clubs and local businesses. If this move succeeds, it could set a precedent for other clubs considering similar investments in their home grounds.
As the NLO season approaches, all eyes will be on the return of action at Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium a facility that now embodies both local pride and the relentless drive to boost competitive football in Nigeria’s lower leagues.
Did You Know?
- The Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium is located on Ozubulu Road in Nnewi, Anambra State, and will host NLO matches in the 2025/26 season.
- Ozalla Football Academy has chosen the venue as its home base ahead of the NLO’s April 10, 2026 kickoff.
- Anambra boasts several stadia approved for league football, including Awka City Stadium and NEROS Stadium in Nanka./li>
- The 2025/26 NLO season will be played strictly on a home and away basis to enhance competition.
- Nnewi’s Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium is historically linked to local club Ifeanyi Ubah FC and continues to be a focal point for football development in the region.
