Remo Stars & Sunshine Stars Sparkle Into Super Six, As Bayelsa Utd Finally Relegates Wikki Tourists
May, 21 2023.
Remo Stars and their South West rival, Sunshine Stars were the two sides to complete the Super Six line up after a frenetic afternoon that saw the curtains fall on the regular season of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Abridged League on Sunday.
Prior to kick-off, all eyes were focused on Umuahia, Akure, and Ikenne centres where the crunch battles for the remaining two Super Six spots were to be fought, and then in Jos and in Yenagoa, where the remaining relegation dog-fights will go down.
Wikki Tourists of Bauchi eventually got relegated along with Dakadda FC of Uyo, despite scoring a goal in each half in Jos, to upset Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-0 in the 4pm kick-off.
Despite the loss, Lobi Stars finished second on the Group B log, with 30 points - 4 adrift of Rivers United who won the group with 34 points, having held Enugu Rangers to a one-all draw in Awka.
Sunshine Stars completed the top 3 by thrashing already relegated Dakkada FC 3-0 in Akure. Victory for the Akure Gunners nullified whatever result was to come from Umuahia, where Abia Warriors hosted Doma United FC who were 3rd until Sunday's final round of matches.
A goal in each half gave Abia Warriors victory on the day, but Erasmus Onu's side fell short to the superior goals difference of Sunshine Stars, as both sides finished on 27 points, while Doma United ended their campaign in 5th and 26 points.
Bendel Insurance of Benin and Enyimba of Aba already had two of Group A's three slots to the Super Six in their kitty, even before Matchday 18 kicked-off.
Expectedly, Remo Stars who hosted Kwara United in Ikenne, raced to a three goal lead in the opening 15 minutes, and scored again to end the match 4-0.
With the result, and 3SC being held goalless by Enyimba of Aba in Ibadan, the Sky Blues from Ikenne did not only make the top 3, they finished ahead of season campaigners, Enyimba who reclined to 3rd.
Akwa United's 1-0 road win against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium, was also rendered inconsequential by the victory record by Remo Stars.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa United who hosted Insurance 2pm kick-off in Jos and El-kanemi Warriors who were home to Plateau United did get relegated from the Group without a fight. Nasarawa United drew 1-1 with Insurance who topped Group A with 34 points, while Plateau United had to comeback twice to hold El-kanemi Warriors 2-2 in Maiduguri.
Bayelsa United also needed at least a point against Niger Tornadoes in Yenagoa to retain their top flight status and the Promise Keepers exceeded their own expectations, when beating the Ikon Allah Boys 2-0 at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Ahead of Sunday's regular season finalé, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) had fixed the Super Six to hold from 2nd - 11th of June, 2023 with preference for an artificial surface that can stand the rigour of having 3 games played on it daily.
Without mincing words, the Interim Management Committee also reiterated that the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos remain the venue for the showpiece. www.ckdmedia.ng reports