French
Deutsch1472 F.C.
| Founded | October 2023 |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Teslim Balogun Stadium |
| Capacity | 24,325 |
| Owner | Dozy Mmobuosi |
| Head Coach | Ortega Deniran |
| League | Nigeria National League |
1472 Football Club commonly referred to as 1472 F.C., is a Nigeria professional football club based in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] The club, founded in 2023, competes in the Nigeria National League, the second tier of the Nigerian football league system. The team plays their home games at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.[2][3]
History
[edit]1472 Football Club was formed in October 2023 by Dozy Mmobuosi.[4] After sponsoring the 2023 Nigeria Federation Cup and attempt to purchase Sheffield United, Mmobuosi decided to start his own football club in Nigeria.[5] The name of the club was curled from the year 1472 in Nigeria where Lagos was visited by the Portuguese explorer Ruy de Sequeira.[6] 1472 F.C. purchased playing rights in Nigeria National League (NNL) in October 2023 after fulfilling all obligations to participate in NNL.[7]
Formation and 2023/2024 debut season
[edit]The club played its debut match on 11 November 2023 against former NPFL club Dakkada Football club where they gained a point from the away match against the club in a 2–2 draw at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State.[8] Their first league goal was scored by Solomon Alade.[9] It is rumored that the team is currently constructing a 20,000 capacity stadium to house 1472 F.C. as its home ground.
On 21 November 2023, the club announced the signing of two international players from Brazil.[10][11] In March 2024, 1472 F.C. was relegated to the Nationwide League One after they lost their last league game.[12]
2024/2025 season
[edit]After the club was relegated in the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League season, in September 2024, 1472 acquired a slot to return to the Nigeria National League from Ijebu United.[13]
Stadium
[edit]The team currently plays at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.[11]
Fraud allegations against owner and controversies
[edit]In December 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it had filed charges against Dozy Mmobuosi and three US-based entities: Tingo Group Inc, Agri-Fintech Holdings Inc, and Tingo International Holdings Inc.[14] The charges allege fraudulent financial claims aimed at deceiving investors. One notable example cited by the SEC involves Tingo Group's fiscal year 2022 Form 10-K, which reported a balance of $461.7 million across multiple bank accounts. However, the SEC alleges that the actual combined balance at the end of the year was purportedly less than $50.[14] It is also alleged that Mmobuosi siphoned hundreds of millions of investors' money for his personal benefit.[15]
Unpaid wages
[edit]In February 2024, Nigeria Sports News reported that 1472 F.C. had not paid players for months. The publication also disclosed that the club failed to honor financial obligations to both players and management.[16] Later that month, Dozy Mmobuosi ordered the sack of all technical and management team of the club following rumors that the coaches had instigated the players to protest.[17]
Squad
[edit]- As of December 1, 2023
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
References
[edit]- ^ "NEW CLUB ALERT". New National Star. 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "1472 FC 'll revolutionise club football in Nigeria, says Sanni". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Admin, New Telegraph (2023-11-05). "Mmobuosi Unveils New NNL Club,1472 Fc, In Surulere". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Oguntimehin, Ayomide (2023-11-04). "Nigerian businessman Dozy Mmobuosi unveils new Lagos club as Sheffield United takeover fails - Soccernet NG". Soccernet.ng. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Ezekute, Nnamdi (2023-11-05). "1472 FC Will Play In NPFL Next Season –CEO, Sanni". Complete Sports. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Dickson-Amagada, Mazino (2023-11-05). "New clubside 1472 FC unveiled in Lagos". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2023-11-05). "1472 FC unveil players for new NNL season". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ admin (2023-12-01). "Dakkada F.C. shares point with newcomer 1472 FC - Nigeria Sports News". Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "Dakkada Misses Last-minute Penalty to Subdue 1472 FC in NNL Encounter". thesouthernexaminer.com. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2023-11-21). "NNL side 1472 sign Brazilian duo". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ a b Busari, Niyi. "NNL Update: 1472 FC Signs Brazilian Duo". NNL Update: 1472 FC Signs Brazilian Duo. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2024-05-11). "Ekiti United, Stormers, 1472 FC relegated from NNL". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ Adesanya, Taiwo (2024-09-07). "1472 FC return for 2024-25 NNL season". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ a b "SEC charges fintech Tingo chief with 'massive' fraud after Hindenburg short position" (PDF).
- ^ "'A fiction': the fall of a fintech star accused of 'massive fraud'". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
- ^ admin (2024-02-02). "1472 F.C. players protest over unpaid salaries". Nigeria Sports News. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
- ^ "Unveiling the Shake-Up: Exploring the Decision Behind 1472 Football Club's Technical Crew Dismissal". Nigeria Sports News. 2024-02-11. Retrieved 2024-03-23.