One thing is certain today as the 2022/23 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) reaches the penultimate week: Bendel Insurance will confirm their spot in the Super 6, and be in a position to push for the title.
As the table in Group A stands, the only cog in the wheel for the Benin side is a most unlikely scenario. If the Insurance lose their last two games – including today’s – Enyimba, Remo Stars and Akwa United will halt their stride, only if those teams themselves win their two remaining fixtures of the regular season. The twist in this unimaginable tale, however, is that Insurance have gone unbeaten all season, posting eight wins and the same number of draws.
Rallying their fans to turn up for this last home match of their impressive NPFL season, Insurance will consolidate their hold on Group A’s top spot as file out against Shooting Stars, who have no Super 6 expectation or relegation worry. When this fixture came up on Matchday 7 in Ibadan, it ended 2-2 with hosts Shooting Stars having to fight back from 0-2 down.
Enyimba, who are second on the log in Group A, host Gombe United in Aba with the visitors safe from relegation. While the People’s Elephant aim at winning to consolidate their top 3 position, Gombe – in seventh spot in the 10-team section – can no longer be eliminated whatever other teams below them do.
Bottom placed El-Kanemi Warriors cannot catch up with Gombe; the same with Kwara United and Nasarawa United. And there are two teams to be relegated in the group. Although Nasarawa United have the unlikely chance of catching up on points with Gombe United, that will mean winning their two games, which include head-to-head with Kwara United. In that case, either of Kwara United or Nasarawa United will go down, sparing Gombe United heartaches.
At No. 3 are Remo Stars who are away to fellow Super 6 hopefuls Plateau United. It’s a win or burst game: whoever triumph will most likely be in the top 3, going into the last Matchday of the regular season.
Akwa United may confirm El-Kanemi’s return to the lower division from where they emerged last season. It’s a match the Promise Keepers must win, if they indeed have the Super 6 – and the title – in their agenda.
In Group B, leaders Lobi Stars are getting closer to qualification for the Super 6. They survived in Uyo yesterday, forcing relegated Dakkada 1-1 with Ani Elijah’s 64th minute goal from the spot cancelling Lanre Akinlade’s 47th strike for the home side.
With Dakkada gone down to the Nigeria National League, Wikki Tourists’ fate hangs in the balance. If the Bauchi side win all their three matches (including the outstanding home fixture against Rivers United), they may still not make it out of relegation. The only team they can catch up – Bayelsa United – have 18 points; and nine points will only give Wikki Tourist 18 points as well.
Apart from Lobi Stars, the other teams in the race for the three Super 6 slots in Group B are Doma United, Abia Warriors, title holders Rivers United, Niger Tornadoes and Sunshine Stars. Rivers have a good advantage of going on top of the table as a result of their three outstanding games, plus the pressure of Federation Cup over. The Pride of Rivers are on 23 points from 13 matches, seven points behind log leaders Lobi Stars who have however played 17 games.
Despite having a game in hand, Doma United occupy the second spot and look good for the top 3. The Savannah Tigers got promoted into the top flight this season.
All fixtures
Group A: Kwara United v Nasarawa United, Plateau United v Remo Stars, Akwa United v El-Kanemi Warriors, Enyimba v Gombe United, Bendel Insurance v Shooting Stars (all 4 pm WAT)
Group B: Rivers United v Bayelsa United, Doma United v Rangers, Wikki Tourists v Abia Warriors, Niger Tornadoes v Sunshine Stars (all 4 pm WAT); Dakkada 1-1 Lobi Stars (yesterday)
