NPFL wrap-up: FC Ifeanyi Ubah pick playoff spot as Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourists survive

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 22 was dramatic and sizzling for fans across the various centres in the country on Sunday.

Playoffs spots were sealed, with FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Enyimba joining Akwa United, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers and Lobi Stars.

A late strike from Dayo Ojo against MFM FC preserved Sunshine Stars’ status in the top flight. It ended 4-2 in Akure.

There was heartbreak for Gombe United who joined Go Round FC, Kwara United, Yobe Desert Stars, Niger Tornadoes, Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars and Elkanemi Warriors, who got relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Tunde Atilola Abdulsalami, Samson Obi and Emeka Isaac were on target in Abia Warriors’ 3-0 massacre of playoff bound Kano Pillars.

Already relegated, Niger Tornadoes fell to a 40th minute strike from Afeez Nosir as Kwara United won 1-0. It wasn’t enough to help the Harmony Boys stay afloat.

The standings after 264 matches#NPFL19 pic.twitter.com/YGgFKrgsas

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— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) May 26, 2019

Adamu Mohammed’s solitary goal couldn’t deliver Gombe United from the mocky waters. They pipped equally relegated Go Round FC 1-0.

Sunusi Ibrahim increased his goal tally to 10 with a brace for Nasarawa United who beat Yobe Desert Stars 2-1. Adamu Ali got a consolatory goal for Stars.

In a game that kept fans at the edge of their seats, a 71st minute spot kick taken by Konan Ruffin fired Rivers United to a 1-0 victory over Bendel Insurance.

It was celebration galore at the Fortress as FC Ifeanyi Ubah sealed their place in the playoffs with a 2-1 win against Akwa United. Chijioke Alaekwe and Christian Nnaji netted for the Anambra Warriors. Ocheme Edoh was on target in the colours of the Promise Keepers.

Dayo Ojo was the hero for Sunshine Stars as his hat trick helped the Owena Whales preserve their top flight status. Sunshine Stars beat MFM FC 4-2 in Akure.

NPFL Week 22 Results
Group ?️

Wikki Tourists 1-0 Rangers

Rivers Utd 1-0 Insurance

Remo Stars 0-0 Lobi Stars

Tornadoes 0-1 Kwara Utd

Katsina Utd 2-1 Enyimba

Sunshine Stars 4-2 MFM

Playoffs: Rangers, Lobi Stars and Enyimba

Relegated: Remo Stars, Tornadoes, Insurance and Kwara Utd

Group ?️

Yobe Stars 1-2 Nasarawa Utd

Go Round 0-1 Gombe Utd

Delta Force 0-0 Plateau Utd

Abia Warriors 3-0 Kano Pillars

FC Ifeanyi Ubahh 2-1 Akwa Utd

Heartland FC 2-0 El-Kanemi

Playoffs: Akwa Utd, Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Relegated: Yobe Stars, Go Round, Gombe Utd and El-Kanemi