NPFL: Kano Pillars set to replace Akwa United in Super Six

Multiple league winners Kano Pillars may be set to compete in an emergency playoffs to determine the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) winners, reports www.aclsports.com

The playoffs is one of four options available to conclude league football in Nigeria after a season ravaged by the Covid-19 global pandemic.

League Management Company (LMC) supremo Shehu Dikko in an interview with Channels Television on Monday enumerated the four options and the “most feasible” among them will see Pillars replace United based on “fairness and merit grounds”.

The four options according to Dikko are:

a) to conclude the league as normal on basis of home and away provided time permits, the country reopen completely, the Health issue completely under control and with huge support and approval from Government.

b) Converge the clubs in a one state venue and play the remaining matches within 3 stadiums that are normally not more than 2 -3hrs apart and conclude the remaining matches within 5-6 weeks playing 3 games a week and with all the quarantine and testing requirements.

c) End the league as it is, adjust d table based on Points Per Game (PPG) system so as to bring all the teams at par to guarantee sporting merits & sporting fairness.Then LMC organize a Play off (which would be a one venue event for 7-10 days) to determine d Winner & CAF slots.

d) End the league as it is, adjust the table based on PPG system so as to bring all d teams at par to guarantee sporting merits d sporting fairness. Then submit the top ranked teams for CAF competitions.

When asked which is the most likely format to be employed, Dikko pointed at the third option which would knock Akwa United down to seventh having played one more game than Kano Pillars.

“Based on the conversation and what is happening, I think the most feasible option is option 3 at the moment.

“That will see us going for the playoffs at least to have a fair chance of see us giving the top teams a chance to compete for the title and then also the CAF competitions.”

Dikko continued: “I think for now, that is what should be on the agenda most likely but all the four options are on the table. We will have a conversation with the NFF and the government and then a collective decision will be taken, basically directed by the government.

“At the end of the day, it is what the government feel they can support, what they feel can be achievable that will go forward. But I think based on the timing and other issues, the playoff option is the most feasible based on the circumstances.”