NPFL: Remo Stars secure continental ticket as Pillars, Heartland are relegated

The trio of Kano Pillars, Heartland, and Katsina United have been relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as the 2021/22 season comes to an end.

They join the Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry (MFM) FC as the bottom four teams to descend into the Nigeria National League (NNL).

The relegation of Pillars was confirmed on Saturday after the decision by the appeal committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) upholding the three-point deduction penalty for violence.

The Sai Masu Gida boys had been penalised with point deduction by the NFF disciplinary committee after Suraj Yahaya, Kano Pillars chairman, had assaulted an assistant referee during his club’s game against Dakkada FC.

#NPFL22 final standings#NPFL22FinalDay @SundayDareSD @bernard_parah pic.twitter.com/Mk7m4ARXih

— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) July 17, 2022

On Sunday, Katsina United slumped 3-0 to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi and failed to avoid the drop by goal difference while Shooting Stars finished adrift them with four goals.

In Owerri, Heartland’s victory over Kwara United was not enough to save them either as Abia Warriors steamrolled Lobi Stars 3-0 to finish with 50 points.

Remo Stars showed determination in Ikenne to defeat the Niger Tornadoes 3-0 and pick the third spot on the log which qualifies them for the CAF Confederations Cup.

Chinedu Akuneto finished the league’s golden boot with 19 goals.

In June, TheCable reported that Rivers United had won the NPFL title, with four games to play.