Enyimba and reign champions Rivers United will play in the continent next season, even with a Matchday to go in the Nigeria Premier League’s championship playoff.
Whatever happens on Sunday when the tournament ends, the sides – who go head-to-head – will be in the top 3 at the end of the championship.
Matchday 4 on Friday exploded with goals like never before in the playoff. Eight goals were produced in the three matches as against five on Matchday 1, seven on Matchday 2, and four on Matchday 3.
Enyimba played under the floodlights for the first time in the playoff and banged in three goals with none from Sunshine Stars. Mbaoma Chijoke’s brace in the third and eight minutes, while Ikenna Cooper deliver the final blow in the 66th minute.
The result left the People’s Elephant at the top of the table, and extended their goal difference from plus two to plus four over second placed Rivers United.
Rivers United produced their second win of the tournament after beating Bendel Insurance 2-1. with goals by Morice Chukwu and Joseph Onoja for United, while Divine Nwachukwu getting into the scoresheet in five minutes of the added time to reduce Insurance’s advantage.
In between these fixtures came the game of the Stars – Lobi and Remo. Lobi continued their inglorious showing with a 0-2 result against Remo. Junior Lokosa (17th minute) and Adams Alade (26th) did the magic for the Ikenne-Remo side.
Lobi United and Sunshine Stars are out of the race to the top 3, while Bendel Insurance must produce their first victory of the playoff to finish third and qualify for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup through the league.
The team have another route tough – the Federation Cup where they will tackle Rangers next week for the title and a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sunday’s fixtures: Sunshine Stars v Lobi Stars, Remo Stars v Bendel Insurance, and Enyimba v Rivers United
