As the regular season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2022-23 edition closes on Sunday, three teams in Group A and a maximum of four in Group B jostle for tickets to the Super 6, where the champions will emerge on 11th June.
Bendel Insurance, who have created a record by going through the season without losing until now – playing 17 matches and winning eight – are the only side through to the Super 6 in Group A. The Benin side amassed 33 points, scored 21 times and conceded 10.
The Benin Arsenal may however not win the group if they record their first loss in Lafia against Nasarawa United, who are already relegated. Should Insurance not win and Enyimba beat Shooting Stars in Ibadan, it will be the People’s Elephant that will go into the season’s decider with the bragging right from Group A.
Enyimba know that, if not a win, they can’t avoid defeat to Shooting Stars as Remo Stars and Akwa United are pushing hard. Remo will be playing at home against Kwara United seeking victory to be sure of a top 3 finish. They have a point less than Enyimba.
Akwa United, champions in the 2020-21, are looking for the opportunity to sneak into the first three places. The Promise Keepers must win in Gombe, and await results in Ibadan and Ikenne-Remo to know their fate. One point separates fourth placed Akwa United from Remo Stars in third.
For the other teams in this group, there is nothing else to play for. Like Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi Warriors will feature in the lower division next season, while Shooting Stars, Plateau United, Gombe United and Kwara United will remain in the NPFL next term.
In Group B, Rivers United and Lobi Stars are already preparing for the Super 6. Doma United, promoted only at the end of last season, created sensation in the top flight and are among contenders for the league decider. Should the Savannah Tigers record a double over Abia Warriors, who they defeated by a lone goal in the first leg, they will seal their place in the Super 6, no matter what happens elsewhere.
But three teams – Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors and Niger Tornadoes – are determined not to make that happen. Abia’s victory over rivals Doma will give them 27 points, a point more than the latter. The Warriors will then have to watch out for results in Akure and Kaduna.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars will host Dakkada, who are having their last match of the NPFL, and victory will also improve the Owena Waves’ chances of being the third team to qualify from Group B.
Playing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa United will have to deny Tornadoes the needed win; otherwise Wikki Tourists may drag them to relegation. There are two points separating Bayelsa United from Wikki Tourists, who travel to Makurdi to face already-qualified Lobi Stars.
