NPFL: Clubs Scramble For Play-off Spots, Survival On Final Day

The final day of the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) regular season promises to be exciting with some clubs battling for the play-off spots and others looking to retain their top flight status, Completesports.com reports.

Rangers have already picked one of the three play-off tickets in Group A, while Akwa United and Kano Pillars have made it from Group B.

The Flying Antelopes will be away to Wikki Tourists who need maximum points to guarantee their safety in the NPFL.

Champions Lobi Stars who occupy second position in Group A with 34 points from 21 matches are away to already relegated Remo Stars at the Shagamu International Stadium.

Lobi Stars need to win the game to be sure of a play-off spot, otherwise they can still make it if third and fourth placed Enyimba and MFM fail to win their games.

Enyimba will be up against Kastina United who need to win at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium to escape demotion.

MFM also face a daunting task against Sunshine Stars in Akure with their hosts needing the maximum points in the game to stay in the NPFL.

At the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port-Harcourt, Rivers United and Bendel Insurance who have 28 points each will slug out with the winner guaranteed of playing in the NPFL next season.

Kwara United will hope for a final day miracle when they take on already relegated Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna.

In the NPFL Group B, the battle for the final Group B play-off slot is between three teams; FC IfeanyiUbah (33 points) Nasarawa United (30 points) and El-Kanemi Warriors (30 points ).

FC IfeanyiUbah will host log leaders Akwa United in Nnewi and need only a point to join the visitors and Kano Pillars in the play-off.

Nasarawa United will be up against already relegated Yobe Desert Stars in Damaturu, while El-Kanemi will be away to Heartland at the Okigwe Township Stadium.

Heartland need to beat the visitors to maintain their top flight status.

Abia Warriors also face the same scenario when they host Kano Pillars in Umuahia needing all three points to stay in the NPFL.

Go Round have their destiny in their hands as they host Gombe United in Omoku. It is a winner takes all encounter as both teams are tied on 27 points apiece, and three points on the final day for either side will be enough to escape relegation.

Former champions Plateau United also face the danger of demotion to the lower league next season as they need to get a positive result against Delta Force in Asaba.

NPFL MATCHDAY 22 FIXTURES

GROUP A

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Wikki Tourists vs Rangers
Rivers United vs Bendel Insurance
Remo Stars vs Lobi Stars
Niger Tornadoes vs Kwara United
Katsina United vs Enyimba
Sunshine Stars vs MFM FC

GROUP B

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Yobe Desert Stars vs Nasarawa United
Go Round vs Gombe United
Delta Force vs Plateau United
Abia Warriors vs Kano Pillars
FC Ifeanyiubah vs Akwa United
Heartland vs El-Kanemi Warriors

By Adeboye Amosu