NPFL: Remo Stars reach playoffs; Wikki relegated on final day

Remo Stars of Ikenne booked their spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Playoffs in style by mauling Kwara United 4-0 on the final day of the 2023 regular season.

The Sky Blue Stars, who needed just a win to seal a spot in the season-ending event, breezed past their hapless visitors in the game’s opening half hour to secure their place in Lagos. Andy Okpe, Seun Odunsi and a brace from mid-season recruit Phillip Odubia got the job done for the Ogun side.

Apart from Remo Stars, Enyimba secured the other Playoffs ticket in Group A after playing a goalless draw with Shooting Stars in Ibadan. It was a straight fight for the last ticket between Akwa United and the Aba side, despite Akwa’s 1-0 win at Gombe United, Finidi George’s side edged them on goals difference to clinch it.

On the other hand, Bendel Insurance, who just returned to the topflight this season, finished the campaign unbeaten after playing out a 1-1 draw with already relegated Nasarawa United in Jos.

In Group B, Wikki Tourists were relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) despite beating Lobi Stars 2-0 in Jos. Bayelsa United’s 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes confirmed the Elephants’ demotion to the second tier after spending almost a decade in the topflight.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Stars made their way into the Super 6 following a comfortable 3-0 win over Dakkada in Akure, as the result in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and Doma United, which ended in a 2-0 home win for Warriors, went their way.

Up next is the championship playoffs for the top six teams to determine the league winner and other Nigeria’s representatives on the continent in Lagos in June.

FULL RESULTS

Group A

Remo Stars 4-0 Kwara Utd (Andy Okpe 6′, Seun Odunsi 9′, Philip Odubia 13′, 35′)

Shooting Stars 0-0 Enyimba

Gombe United 0-1 Akwa United (James Ajako 30′)

Nasarawa Utd 1-1 Bendel Insurance (Chinedu Ohanachom 52′ – Deputy Echeta 28′)

Elkanemi Warriors 2-2 Plateau United (Ugo Ujah (pen) 24′, Mohammed Hussain 52′ – Ibrahim Mustapha 19′, Alexander Enejoh 71′)

Group B

Abia Warriors 2-0 Doma Utd (Emmanuel Onu 45′, Sunday Megwo 60′)

Rangers 1-1 Rivers Utd (Sam Pam 16′ – Ebube Duru 53′)

Lobi Stars 0-2 Wikki Tourists (Abubakar Aliyu 4′, Abdumuminu Shehu 88′)

Bayelsa Utd 2-0 Tornadoes (Alex Oyowah 26′, Stephen Wisdom 33′)

Sunshine Stars 3-0 Dakkada (Michael Olalusi 9′, Nnaemeka Achi 27′, Ekerette Udom 90+3′)