The 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season ended on Thursday the day’s high points in Enyimba International’s upward surge and Sunshine Stars’ escape from relegation.
With the competition’s title already gone since Match Day 37 to Akwa United, only one 2021/2022 CAF Champions League slot and one 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup ticket were at stake.
Enyimba surprised all with a 3-1 away win in Uyo against Dakkada FC to move from fifth to second and qualify to return to the CAF Champions League.
The Aba-based 2019/2020 champions moved ahead of Nasarawa United, Kano Pillars and Rivers United of Port Harcourt who all lost their matches.
Kwara United also moved from sixth to third, upstaging on goals difference Nasarawa United of Lafia who finished fourth after losing 1-3 to hosts Abia Warriors of Umuahia.
This was after they beat visiting Katsina United 3-0 in Ilorin, to claim the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup ticket.
Kano Pillars dropped to fifth after losing 0-1 to Heartland FC of Owerri, while Rivers United dropped to sixth after being involved in the day’s biggest talking point.
Sunshine Stars of Akure beat Rivers United 1-0 dramatically escape relegation by moving into 16th place above Jigawa Golden Stars who lost 0-2 to MFM FC in Lagos.
Rangers International and Lobi Stars maintained seventh and eighth places respectively after home wins, with the Enugu side beating Plateau United 2-0 and the Makurdi side beating new champions Akwa United.
The losses meant nothing to both the Jos side and Uyo side, just as it is in the case of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi who handed a 2-0 defeat to visiting Adamawa United of Yola.
The points gained did virtually nothing to boost or damage their final positions in the competition, just as the already-relegated FC IfeanyiUbah had no relief in beating Warri Wolves.1-0.
NAN reports that Adamawa United, FC IfeanyiUbah, Warri Wolves and Jigawa Golden Stars have all now been relegated into the 2021/2022 Nigeria National League (NNL).
Both Akwa United and Enyimba International will represent Nigeria in the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League.
Kwara United will join the winners of the 2021 Aiteo Cup in representing Nigeria in the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup.
FINAL STANDINGS
Pos TEAM P W D L GD Pts
1. Akwa United 38 19 14 5 +29 71
- Enyimba International 38 18 12 8 +8 66
- Kwara United 38 19 8 11 +20 65
- Nasarawa United 38 20 5 13 +17 65
- Kano Pillars 38 19 7 12 +9 64
- Rivers United 38 18 9 11 +12 63
- Rangers International 38 18 8 12 +18 62
- Lobi Stars 38 17 7 14 +4 58
- Plateau United 38 14 9 15 +10 51
- MFM FC 38 13 12 13 –1 51
- Dakkada FC 38 15 5 18 –10 50
- Katsina United 38 14 7 17 -7 49
- Heartland FC 38 13 9 16 –9 48
- Abia Warriors 38 12 11 15 -2 47
- Wikki Tourists 38 12 9 17 –8 45
- Sunshine Stars 38 11 12 15 –11 45
- Jigawa Golden Stars 38 11 10 16 –15 43
- Warri Wolves 38 11 8 19 –15 41
- FC IfeanyiUbah 38 9 12 17 –17 39
- Adamawa United 38 5 10 23 –35 25
Match Day 38 Results
Abia Warriors 3-1 Nasarawa United
Dakkada FC 1-3 Enyimba International
Rangers International 2-0 Plateau United
Heartland FC 1-0 Kano Pillars
FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 Warri Wolves
Kwara United 3-0 Katsina United
Lobi Stars 2-1 Akwa United
MFM FC 2-0 Jigawa Golden Stars
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Rivers United
Wikki Tourists 2-0 Adamawa United
