By STEPHEN BENJAMIN

The Management of the Nationwide League One (NLO) has queried MC Steve FC and Beautiful Tours FC over their Match Day Seven encounter which ended 10-3 in the Area 3 centre of the ongoing 2026 season.

The league body directed both clubs to show cause by May 18 why the result should not be cancelled over concerns surrounding the integrity of the match.

The fixture, played on Thursday at the Area 3 Sports Complex in Abuja, ended in favour of MC Steve FC, which recorded their highest goal tally of the campaign.

Beautiful Tours FC, which had managed only one point from their previous five matches before the game, also conceded the highest number of goals recorded by any team in the centre this season.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NLO, Olusola Ogunnowo, signed a letter requesting both clubs to defend the outcome of the encounter.

“It has come to our attention that there are concerns regarding the integrity of the match, and we request that both clubs present their case to demonstrate why the outcome should not be deemed a compromised match,” part of the letter read.

The league body’s action came in spite of the match being officiated by referee Mansoor Danjuma, who has reportedly been rated among the top referees in the FCT centres of the 2026 NLO season.

NAN reports that prior to the controversial result, Beautiful Tours FC recorded defeats against Bussdor FC, Legacy Stars, AA FC, and Anglican FC, while also playing a draw against Calgary FC.

MC Steve FC, on the other hand, had recorded draws against Legacy Stars, Calgary FC, and AA FC, while also suffering defeats to Bussdor FC and Anglican FC before defeating Kogi United FC 2-1.

Both clubs are expected to respond to the query before the league body decides on further action regarding the match. (NAN)