Football / Sports

NPFL: Enyimba clinch CAF Champions League place, Sunshine escape relegation

The 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League season ended on Thursday with the day’s high points in Enyimba International’s upward surge and Sunshine Stars’ escape from relegation.

With the competition’s title already gone since Match Day 37 to Akwa United, only one 2021/2022 CAF Champions League slot and one 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup ticket were at stake.

Enyimba surprised all with a 3-1 away win in Uyo against Dakkada FC to move from fifth to second and qualify to return to the CAF Champions League.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Aba-based 2019/2020 champions moved ahead of Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars and Rivers United of Port Harcourt, who all lost their matches. Kwara United also moved from sixth to third, upstaging on goals difference Nasarawa United of Lafia, who finished fourth after losing 1-3 to hosts Abia Warriors of Umuahia.

This was after they beat visiting Katsina United 3-0 in Ilorin to claim the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

Kano Pillars dropped to fifth after losing 0-1 to Heartland FC of Owerri, while Rivers United dropped to sixth after being involved in the day’s biggest talking point.

Sunshine Stars of Akure beat Rivers United 1-0 to dramatically escape relegation by moving into 16th place above Jigawa Golden Stars who lost 0-2 to MFM FC in Lagos.

Rangers International and Lobi Stars maintained seventh and eighth places respectively after home wins, with the Enugu side beating Plateau United 2-0 and the Makurdi side beating new champions Akwa United.

The losses meant nothing to both the Jos and Uyo sides, just as it is in the case of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, who handed a 2-0 defeat to visiting Adamawa United of Yola.

The points gained did virtually nothing to boost or damage their final positions in the competition, just as the already-relegated FC IfeanyiUbah had no relief in beating Warri Wolves 1-0.

NAN reports that Adamawa United, FC IfeanyiUbah, Warri Wolves and Jigawa Golden Stars have all now been relegated into the 2021/2022 Nigeria National League.

Both Akwa United and …

Football / Sports

Club Owners Postpone NPFL Resumption Indefinitely

The lingering leadership dispute at the Nigeria Football Federation has caused Wednesday’s resumption of the NPFL to be postponed indefinitely, officials have disclosed.
Last month, the country’s league went on break for the World Cup in Russia.
“I am directed to bring to the notice of all members and clubs that the resumption date of the 2017/2018 season earlier scheduled for Wednesday 18th July 2018 has been put on hold,” read a statement signed by Executive Secretary of the Club Owners Association, Alloy Chukwuemeka.
Ahmed Musa gets Nominated for goal of the 2018 world cup
The statement said: “Consequently the league resumption date has been postponed indefinitely until further notice.
“This postponement is as a result of some unresolved issues amongst the stakeholders within the football circle.”
Lobi Stars top the league table with 43 points from 24 matches, while Akwa United are two points behind.
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Football / Sports

MFM FC Retain Lagos FA Cup

for the consecutive third time after cruising to a 3-0 win over Smart City FC at Agege Stadium on Saturday.
The Olukoya Boys had a shaky start, as Smart City FC dominated the early minutes of the first half, until Joshua Abah rounded Smart City FC goalkeeper, Timi Adeyoruju, to put the defending champions ahead in the 38th minute.
Smart City had clear cut chances to level the scoreline before the end of the first half, but squandered their chances allowing MFM FC to take their slim lead into the break.
MFM FC started brightly in the second half, scoring three minutes into the half.

Abah got his brace from a solo effort in the 48th minute as Smart City FC’s defence was all over the place.
The Olukoya Boys were in cruise control and soon got the third goal in the 68th minute, from a counter-attack, which saw Alade Balogun scoring a stunner which hit the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the net.
Speaking to newsmen after the game, MFM FC assistant coach, Alli Suleman Obinna, said the win is dedicated to the club’s media officer, Olawale Quadry, who got married same day in Lagos.
“It’s a very good feeling, winning this title once again. I dedicate this title to our media officer, Olawale Quadry, who got married today,” he said.
MFM FC will host El-Kanemi Warriors in Lagos in a Match Day 23 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Monday.
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