THE 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season comes to an end on Saturday, September 9 with no fewer than seven teams on the brink of going down to the lower division alongside Gombe United and Remo Stars who have already booked their tickets.
Interestingly, the battle for survival starts from Sunshine Stars who occupy 13th position on the log with 51 points and minus three-goal difference.
The Owena Waves who are under third coach this season, Duke Udi, need to beat relegated Remo Stars at the Gateway International Stadium, Shagamu, to finish with 54 points and retain their NPFL status or pick up a point to end up in 52 points, but a loss could see them drop to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Another team in the relegation waters are Niger Tornadoes as they are condemned to outsmart Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) today at their adopted home ground, Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.
Also with 51 points and minus six-goal difference, Tornadoes will have to prepare for their toughest match of the season against the Oluyole Warriors, who are also battling for survival with 50 points. The Minna landlords could still scale through with a draw in the match to end up in 52 points.
Abia Warriors who are placed 15th position on the log with 50 points and plus five-goal difference are also in the race for survival as they need to beat Rivers United at their Umuahia Township Stadium home ground to finish with 53 points. To the Pride of Rivers, the match remains inconsequential as they, with 52 points and plus four-goal difference won’t lose their NPFL status even if they lose the game except by a wide goal margin. However, a draw or home defeat could see the Warriors drop to the NNL.
To 3SC who are 16th on the log with 50 points and minus six-goal difference, the battle ground is Lokoja where they need to beat Tornadoes to escape relegation, but pundits believe only a miracle could see them leave Lokoja even with a point.
In case of victory in Lokoja, the Fatai Amoo-side must also pray that ‘relegated’ Gombe United beat arch rivals, Wikki Tourists in Gombe.
The Tourists need outright win to end up in 53 points and retain their NPFL status, while victory regardless of goal margin will not move Gombe even a step forward on the final NPFL table.
However, should the match end in a draw, Wikki could as well drop to the lower division with 51 points.
Another team that need a miracle to survive are Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) who will be guests of Nasarawa United in Lafia. The Ilorin-based side with 49 points need outright win to end up in 52 points, but their major weakness has to do with the minus 12-goal difference. ABS thus will have to pray for motherluck this time, even should they win in Lafia.
ABS gaffer, Henry Makinwa says his men will not give up.
“We are still pushing it (survival from relegation) to the last day in the league, still the same intention, same approach, but with a renewed focus, commitment and support from everybody in the team, we hope to win there (against Nasarawa United in Lafia) and we hope other teams get bad results so that we can stay up,” Makinwa told Npfl.ng.
http://npfl.ng/index.php/news-features/club-news/2459-underdogs-rule-on-npfl-final-day
Interestingly, the battle for who wins the NPFL title is between Plateau United with 63 points and plus 22-goal advantage and MFM FC of Lagos with 62 points and plus two-goal advantage. Though, both teams have already secured Nigeria’s two Champions League tickets ahead of the final day fixtures.
Plateau only need victory in Jos at the expense of Rangers to clinch the title with 66 points regardless of the outcome of the clash between El-Kanemi Warriors and MFM.
To the captain of Plateau United, victory over Rangers is non-negotiable.
“We are battle ready, we are looking forward to lifting the league title and we shall do so on Saturday,” Golbe told npfl.ng.
“The game against Rangers is like a cup final for us and we are taking it very seriously. We have not come this far to miss out on the trophy.
“Everybody is in high spirits for the match on Saturday because it is a very important match for us. I think everybody is prepared for the match.
“Come Saturday, we are going to give our best and make sure that we get the three points and get crowned champions of the 2016/17 NPFL season.
However, the chance of the Olukoya Boys in winning the NPFL title is equally bright as victory for them in Maiduguri and stalemate in Jos will earn them the shield with 65 points.
Another factor that favours Plateau United is the fact that should they lose in Jos and MFM secure a draw in Maiduguri, the goal difference will still earn the Kennedy Boboye-side the NPFL title with superior goal difference as both sides will end up in 63 points.
The Confederation Cup ticket is almost in the kitty of Enyimba with 58 points as they need to beat Katsina United at their adopted home ground UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar to finish third and seal the continental ticket. Katsina look good enough with 52 points to retain their NPFL slot next season but they will have to put up their best as well to avoid a ‘goal massacre’ in Calabar.
Also in the race to finish third are Akwa United who with 57 points need to beat Kano Pillars in Uyo to end up in 60 points. The Promise Keepers could beat Enyimba to the continental ticket if the People’s Elephant fail to beat Katsina in Calabar, which on paper cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile, the match between FC IfeanyiUbah and Lobi Stars remain a formality clash as both sides are comfortable on the log. At the time of this report, the Anambra Warriors have resolved not to honour the game due to their unpaid four months salary as efforts were on by the club management to plead with the aggrieved players to change their stance.
The match however, means a lot to Lobi Stars who would play for pride and also aspire to produce the Goal King of the season. Lobi Stars’ striker, Anthony Okpotu is leading the chart with 18 goals alongside MFM’s Stephen Odey, who a few days ago secured a foreign deal with FC Zurich.
Okpotu, will be aiming to score one more goal in Nnewi to beat Odey to the Rashidi Yekini Golden Boot award and also reach 70 goals in the NPFL.
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