Action resumes in Nigeria’s second tier football league division, the Nigeria National League (NNL) on Wednesday after a brief hiatus following the non-payment of match officials indemnities.
The Referees Association had instructed its members not to honour matches last weekend following the impasse but games will now go on this Wednesday.
Northern Conference reaches a climax
Only twelve teams remain in Group A of the second division after the earlier withdrawal of Afe Babalola FC. The 22nd round of matches will hold on Wednesday with Yobe Desert Stars in pole position to nick the second promotion spot.
Yobe are currently placed third on the log but with just two points behind Jigawa Stars who have already completed their season’s schedule. A home win for Yobe against Adamawa United on Wednesday will secure their return to the top flight after almost a decade of absence.
In other Northern Conference fixtures, FC Taraba will hope to escape relegation as they travel to Conference winners Kwara United while relegation haunted FRSC will be guests to Kaduna United.
Kogi United take on Zamfara United in Lokoja while bottom of the log FC Abuja will visit Mighty Jets in Jos.
Top two clash in the South
There are still four more round of matches to be decided after Wednesday’s matches in the hectic Southern Conference where eighteen teams struggle for two promotion spots.
In the biggest game of the Conference, leaders Heartland will host second placed Go Round at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. Heartland are eight points clear of their nearest challengers and a win will take them a step closer to mathematical assurance of promotion.
Third place Bayelsa United travel to Uyo to face Akwa Starlets while fourth place Delta Force will be in Owerri on Thursday to face Papilo FC.
Other fixtures:
Ikorodu United vs Gateway FC
My People FC vs Nnewi United
Osun United vs First Bank
Abia Comets vs Insurance
UNICEM Rovers vs Crown FC
Warri Wolves vs AS Racine