Heartland FC and Akwa United are finally relegated to the lower division following the dominance of home teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) week 38 matches played yesterday at match centres across the country.
Heartland ensured they defeated fellow relegated side, Akwa United 2-1 but that wasn’t enough to save them from doom as the trio of Katsina United, Nigeria Tornadoes and El-Kanemi Warriors recorded crucial home victories to maintain their NPFL status.
This means the ‘Nazi millionaires’ have suffered back-to-back relegations as they had to procure Beyond Limits Academy’s slot after they were relegated last season in order to remain in the topflight.
Meanwhile, to stay afloat, Katsina United laboured to a 10 win over Kwara United courtesy of Mubarak Said’s goal in the 34th minute; Niger Tornadoes subdued Kano Pillars in a five-goal thriller in Kaduna while El-Kanemi Warriors left it late to beat Sunshine Stars 1-0 with the only goal of the match coming in the 24th minute of second half added time.
In other matches, Rivers United defeated 10-man Nasarawa United 2-1 to cement their Champions League spot as their closest rivals Abia Warriors suffered a 3-1 loss at Ikorodu City to settle for one of the Confederation Cup tickets.
Already relegated side, Lobi Stars saved themselves the same of going through the second round without a win as they rallied back to defeat Bendel Insurance 2-1 in Enugu; Bayelsa United whipped champions Remo Stars 3-0 in Yenagoa while former African champions Enyimba suffered a final-day loss to Plateau United who stunned them 1-0 in Aba.
The clash between 3SC and former champions, Enugu Rangers was a one way traffic affair as the hosts hammered the ‘Flying Antelopes’ 5-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Following the conclusion of matches on Sunday, Heartland and Akwa United joined already relegated Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars while Remo Stars, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, Ikorodu City and Bendel Insurance make up the top five positions in that order.
Therefore, Remo Stars and Rivers United will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League while Abia Warriors and the winner of the Federation Cup final to be contested between Kwara United and Abakiliki FC will fly the country’s flag in the Confederation Cup.
