Plateau Utd win 2017 NPFL title

PLATEAU United on Saturday clinched the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title, the first time ever by the Jos-based side.
The Kennedy Boboye-piloted side in the match day 38 fixture at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, hammered Enugu Rangers 2-0 to finish tops with 66 points.
Goals from Emeka Umeh (25th min) and Benjamin Turba in the 89th minute sealed the victory for Plateau United whose last major laurel was in 1999 when they lifted the Federation Cup in Lagos at the expense of Iwuanyanwu Nationale now Heartland FC of Owerri.
MFM FC of Lagos finished second behind Plateau United with 62 points despite the 1-2 defeat they suffered in Maiduguri at the hands of El-Kanemi Warriors.
However, the Lagos side will alongside Plateau United represent Nigeria in next year’s Champions League as Enyimba who defeated Katsina United 1-0 finished third with 61 points settled for the Confederation Cup ticket.
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) after three years stay in the NPFL will be returning to the lower division as the Oluyole Warriors lost 0-2 to Niger Tornadoes in Lokoja to finish 17th on the table with 50 points.
Also, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) of Ilorin after just a season in NPFL finished in the relegation zone {18th} following a 1-2 loss in Lafia to Nasarawa United.
The other two teams who finished in the relegation zone are Gombe United (19th) and Remo Stars (20th).
However, the relegation of the four teams is subject to ratification of the League Management Company (LMC).
Meanwhile, Lobi Stars’ striker, Anthony Okpotu, finished as the highest goal scorer of the season with 19 goals, one ahead of Stephen Odey of MFM of Lagos who has since joined FC Zurich.
Okpotu put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute in the 1-1 draw against FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi on the final day but was sent off in the 89thminute.
The Lobi Stars’ forward, Okpotu, becomes the third player to win the Rashidi Yekini Golden Boot Award after Gbolahan Salami {with Warri Wolves} and Godwin Obaje with Wikki Tourists.