The regular season of the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will be concluded on Sunday. Unlike last season and recent seasons, the usual permutations and forecasts as per teams going down have been largely sorted this time around, however, the big talking point remains the Super Six Playoff spots.
https://twitter.com/NigeriaPFL/status/1659279944638144512?s=20
Only three teams have qualified for the season-ending Super Six playoff – Bendel Insurance in Group A, Lobi Stars, and Rivers United in Group B – while three out of the four teams going down to the second division – Dakkada, Elkanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United – have been confirmed.
In what was a below-par season, Nasarawa United were sent down by Kwara United in a season-decider in Akure, while Dakkada and Elkanemi were the first two teams to be confirmed.
The matches
Following the completion of the outstanding games by Rivers United, all is set for the season finale come this Sunday. A total of ten matches (five in each group) in nine different match venues. Apart from Remo Stars, all the other top four teams in Group A (except Bendel Insurance) are playing on the road and will need a result to book their spot in the playoff.
The relegation conversation has been settled in Group A, but as for Group B, it is a battle between Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists to determine the final team that will be joining the Nigeria National League (NNL) train next season.
Group A
Nasarawa United (9) vs Bendel Insurance (1)
Remo Stars (3) vs Kwara United (8)
Shooting Stars (6) vs Enyimba (2)
Elkanemi Warriors (10) vs Plateau United (5)
Gombe United (7) vs Akwa United (4)
Group B
Enugu Rangers (7) vs Rivers United (1)
Lobi Stars (2) vs Wikki Tourists (9)
Sunshine Stars (4) vs Dakkada (10)
Abia Warriors (5) vs Doma United (3)
Bayelsa United (8) vs Niger Tornadoes (6)
Playoff spots up for grabs
https://twitter.com/OgaNlaMedia/status/1659244238708539411?s=20
In Group A, only Bendel Insurance have booked its place in the season-ending playoffs in Lagos. Enyimba, Remo Stars and Akwa United are battling it out for the remaining two spots of the group. Enyimba travel to Ibadan to face Shooting Stars – a place they have not picked a result since 2015, Remo Stars will welcome safe Kwara United to Ikenne, while Akwa United are on the road to face Gombe United.
Personally, I do not expect to see a change in the qualifiers as it is currently constituted in the top three positions on the table. Remo Stars can finish as high as second with a win, Enyimba need at least a draw, or if Akwa United fail to win in Gombe, they will be through. With no relegation worries for the teams the playoff hopefuls are facing, I expect the top three at the end of the day to be Bendel, Remo Stars and Enyimba.
In Group B, Sunshine Stars need a win against Dakkada and hope third-placed Doma United fails to win against Abia Warriors who are also mathematically in the playoff race. The Abia side will only make the playoff if they win and Sunshine fails to beat already relegated Dakkada in Akure. Here is how I think it will play out, Sunshine will beat the Chosens to reach the Super 6, while Warriors and Doma will play out a draw in Umuahia. So, the top three in Group B will be Rivers United, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars.
Relegation permutations
This is probably the first time in a long while that the final day of the NPFL season will not be having so much relegation drama. It is a simple fight between Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists in Group B.
https://twitter.com/OgaNlaMedia/status/1659244495936933888?s=20
Bayelsa United have their fate in their hands as they only need to beat Tornadoes in Yenagoa to preserve their status for another league season. For Wikki Tourists, they need to beat Lobi Stars in Jos while hoping Tornadoes do them a favour by securing a win at Bayelsa United.
Another scenario is that, due to Wikki’s inferior goal difference, a draw could be enough for Bayelsa United to secure their top-flight status. Either way, I expect the Elephants to go down, and going by Bayelsa United’s recent form, I expect them to beat Tornadoes at home on Sunday.
The permutations might look so simple and straightforward to the eye, but this NPFL season has not been short of drama and we might just be in for another one on Sunday.
