Dakkada FC of Uyo are now officially relegated to the second tier of Nigerian football league, the Nigerian National League (NNL) after their 1-1 draw with Lobi Stars on Saturday.
The result from the game decided at the Nest of Champions, Uyo meant that Dakkada FC are now five points adrift of safety with just one match left to play and are such confirmed relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
In Saturday’s Match Day 17 encounter, Dakkada indeed tried to postpone doomsday with a dogged performance but they eventually came up short in what was a true reflection of their season.
The team coached by Umar Danlami went in front just a minute after the half time interval through substitute Lanre Akinlade who finished home a corner kick to give the sizeable home fans something to cheer.
The joy however lasted for just fifteen minutes as Lobi Stars got a route back into the game in the 62nd minute when centre referee Godwin Adejoh adjudged Dakkada defender Karim Abdoulaye to have upended Lobi’s Joseph Atule inside the penalty box.
In-form striker Elijah Ani stepped up to dispatch the spot kick beyond Dakkada goalkeeper Edidiong Usoro. There were no further goals in the contest as Lobi goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel also denied the hosts a couple of good scoring opportunities.
The point earned from the game took Lobi Stars’ tally for the season to 30 points, five points clear of second placed Doma United at the summit of the Group B table.
For Dakkada FC though, the single point added on Saturday takes their tally to thirteen points, five points behind eighth placed Bayelsa United who have a game in hand.
Sponsored by the Akwa Ibom state government, Dakkada FC’s relegation to the NNL marked the end of their four years participation in the NPFL having gained promotion to the elite division in July 2019.
