Exclusive: 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier League at a Glance

The 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) ended few weeks ago with the Super 6 playoffs at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium) and having one of the giants or presumably the Most Successful Clubside in Nigeria, Enyimba International FC crowned as 9th winners in the last match of the Super 6 having won same in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019 and recently, 2023.

The People's Elephant's emergence as 9th time NPFL winners did not come much as a surprise given their pedigree and knowledge of the league system, however 2022/2023 league format was a different one because of its Abridged Status.

The then newly constituted Interim Management Committee (IMC) had to settle for Abridged league format because they had already run out of time to kick start a full league and secondly most pundits have called for a unified calendar season in tandem with what is obtainable in other countries where their league calendar season align with the Europeans.

Most league seasons around the world do end by May/June, but Nigeria has been operating a different league calendar that had its league start from January to December. 

The implementation of this lopsided calendar is however not far fetched on the performances of the clubsides representing Nigeria at the continental championships because they do have limited playing time in local league which subsequently affected their performances especially in the preliminary stages when Leagues in Nigeria would have been on break. This also had a lot of impact in the fitness of the players.

Now,  that there is a new breath of air in the league with the harmonisation of the league's calendar, Nigerian clubsides, such as Enyimba International FC, Remo Stars Rivers United and Bendel Insurance campaigning in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will have little excuses of match fitness when they resume the hostilities in the continent.

Meanwhile, the 2022/2023 NPFL champions, Enyimba International FC are worthy champions, though many pundits wouldn't have given them much chance especially with some state money-bag funded clubs such as the 2021/2022 winners, Rivers United, a club that was in neck tight fight with the People's Elephant till the last day of the Super 6 before a 1-1 scoreline solved the puzzle. (Had Enyimba International FC lost the match, Rivers United would have gone ahead to win the league).

Enyimba FC claimed the ninth Nigeria Premier League title in style with the dramatic tension soaked 1-1 draw against Rivers United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan after notching up nine points from five games.

Ekenne Awazie gave Enyimba the lead six minutes before the break after Rivers United failed to clear their lines.

Rivers United fought back and got the equaliser through Nyima Nwagua three minutes after the break.

Enroute to winning the NPL Super 6, Enyimba International started off with a four goal thriller with new foe, Remo Stars; the game that ended in a 2-2 draw, then, the People's Elephant followed up with a slim 1-0 win over Lobi Stars of Makurdi. The Finidi George-tutored side also played another 1-1 draw against an almost invincible Bendel Insurance who had yet to lose any match, after which Sunshine Stars fell to their Super power in the fourth game with a three goal lead while the last match ended 1-1 against the Pride of Rivers.

The odds for winning the league was not high for Enyimba International FC this season because many were skeptical about the appointment of a coach which many would refer to as a rookie when it comes to Nigerian League.

Enyimba International FC's Coach, Finidi George has now entered the history book as the first Nigerian Ex player turned coach that won the domestic league on home soil.

Many pundits never gave Finidi a chance to wave such a magic wand to winning the league because the terrain is so rough and laced with intrigues, politics, sometimes, questionable officiating.

With Enyimba International FC as winners once again, it's a big congratulations and more feathers added to their dominance in the Nigeria Football circle.

Looking at the overview of the league, it is clear that the 2022/2023 NPL was better managed and the officiating improved a great deal.

The general statistics of the 2022/2023 league have it that out of 180 matches played, there were 99 home wins, 56 draws and 25 away wins which literary means that the league had 55 per cent home teams wins, 31 per cent draws and 14 per cent away wins.

Furthermore, the 2022/2023 NPL season had a total of 380 goals scored in all matches averaging a 2:11 ratio, while 253 were home goals and 127 away goals.

A glance at each club's performance in the 2022/2023 NPL campaign 

Enyimba International FC of Aba

Enyimba International Football Club of Aba arguably is the Most Successful Football Clubside in Nigeria. With such a rich history in continental football competition, the People's Elephant ranked among the best Clubsides in Africa.

While the People's Elephant trailed the winners of the regular Abridged NPL Group A, Bendel Insurance by two points going into the Super 6, the  Finidi George's side stayed focused and eventually sliced through the Super 6 playoffs steadily waiting over the final day to win the league when it mattered most. 

This showed the tenancity and doggednes in the team. Although it felt as if they had just been toying with their rivals, like a cat playing with its prey, the team knew what they wanted and eventually became the Champions.

The team described by pundits as "Nsogbu" and a "monster" lifted their  9th League title just within 22 seasons having won the first crown in the year 2001.

The People's Elephant were led to winning the league by the highest goal scorer of the league Emeka Obioma who scored 16 league goals enroute his team's winning the 2022/2023 league. The striker enjoyed a good campaign with the Aba Elephant scoring regularly for the club. 

However, teamwork remained the fulcrum of Finidi's style, and Enyimba showed their immense depth when they opened the 2022/2023 NPL with an away 2-1 win over relegated Nasarawa United.
Other matches include:
Match Day 2: Enyimba 0:0 Akwa United
Match Day 3: Plateau Utd 2:1 Enyimba 
Match Day 4: Enyimba 3:0 Kwara Utd
Match Day 5: Remo Stars 1:0 Enyimba 
Match Day 6: Enyimba 2:0 El Kanemi
Match Day 7: Gombe Utd 1:2 Enyimba 
Match Day 8: Enyimba 2:0 Shooting 
Match Day 9: Bendel Insurance 1:0 Enyimba 
Match Day 10: Enyimba 1:1 Bendel Insurance 
Match Day 11: Enyimba 1:1 Nasarawa United 
Match Day 12: Akwa United 1:0 Enyimba 
Match Day 13: Enyimba 2:1 Plateau United 
Match Day 14: Kwara Utd 1:2 Enyimba 
Match Day 15: Enyimba 1:1 Remo Stars 
Match Day 16: El Kanemi 0:1 Enyimba 
Match Day 17: Enyimba 5:0 Gombe United (record biggest win of the league)
Match Day 18: Shooting Stars 0:0 Enyimba

Looking at the statistics, Enyimba International FC had five home wins out of possible nine matches, then had three home draws.

The team then attracted the biggest away wins (4), one away draw and four loses. An interesting note is that Enyimba International FC was not defeated at home ground throughout the 2022/2023 campaign.

Their sheer dominance of the league has left many wondering how long the People's Elephant will stay put at the top while the team still looked on course for more dominance with doubt if any club can challenge their imposing figure in years to come.

It is also worthy of note that only Enyimba International FC has achieved the feat of winning the CAF Champions League back to back (2003 and 2004), four time winners of Nigerian FA Cup, (2005 2009, 2013, 2014), four times Nigerian Super Cup winners, (2001, 2003, 2010, 2013), two times CAF Super Cup winners (2004 and 2005).

No doubt, Enyimba International FC has its cabinet filled with local and international competitions trophies and the club is sure to add more to its cabinet in years to come.

In an interview with Africa Sport Network (ASN), the Chairman of the Club, Felix Anyanwu disclosed that Enyimba International FC is poised to setting and breaking records.

``Our dominance has to do with our commitment, having direction, knowing the path to follow. We want to create record which we are known for and also break records.

``Enyimba International is no doubt a good team, this is a collective effort made at the recruitment of best hands to manage the club. We have a team and the team is working, I have a team that is always brainstorming; always want to do better than the past.

``Nigerians should watch out for Enyimba International next season as we will seek to continue in the CAF Champions League title from where we left it.

“This is just the beginning, Enyimba is coming to the continent and we will show the stuff we are made of,'' he said.


2.    Remo Stars
The Ikenne-based Remo Stars have enjoyed a decent run in the last 2022/2023 NPL and remained the only team the eventual winners Enyimba International FC were unable to defeat throughout the entire campaign having defeated the People's Elephant 1-0, at home and played 1-1 in the reversed fixtures away in Aba, surprisingly both teams were also inseparable during the Super 6 as they played 2:2.

Remo Stars have enjoyed a massively positive 2022/2023 season as they proved the pundits wrong by constantly knocking and threatening to win the league with their tenancity, no wonder, a second place finish is a decent position for their efforts.

Although, there were suspicions whether the Sky Blue Stars had enough pedigree to be crowned champions, they have gone ahead to prove the bookmakers wrong with another shot at Continental championships.

The Gbenga Ogunmodede led team had survived the onslaught of better established teams such as past winners Akwa United, Plateau United and another traditional clubside, Shooting Stars of Ibadan to emerge in the second position even ahead of the eventual winners, Enyimba International who are third on the Group A standings.

Enroute to their position as the second best team, Remo Stars owned by a billionaire shrewd businessman, Kunle Soname, played 18 games with accumulated points of 33, one point short of league leaders, Bendel Insurance with nine wins, six draws and three loses.

The Sky Blue Stars also scored 21 goals and conceded 14 leaving a seven goals advantage.

There is an argument that Remo Stars would have won the league if not a slip against Sunshine Stars of Akure in the Match Day 3 of the Super 6 where they unexpectedly drew 1:1. 

A win in that game would have changed the complexion of the Nigerian League as Remo Stars would have ended up being another new clubside to win the NPL, but rather, they blew up the rare opportunity, with Enyimba International steadily waiting to outwit them.

However, Remo Stars young squad still remains a team to beat in the nearest future.

Having brought CAF Champions League back to the Southwest football, it is hoped that if the team is better and well funded, the Ogunmodede-led team should have good show in their sleeves to catch up with the big clubs.

Remo Stars should expect big financial backing to strengthen the squad this summer especially with good legs to prosecute the CAF Champions League.

3.   Rivers United

The 2021/2022 NPFL winners are definitely in the bookmakers review to win the league once again due to their financial muscle.

The Stanley Eguma-led team is one of the clubsides that have been consistent in the league in the past decade before eventually winning it about a year ago.

Rivers United performances have been encouraging with a top-four finish in the League, Federation Cup and their prosecution of the CAF Champions League and their CAF Confederation League campaign have been decent.

Eguma was just unlucky in the quater finals of the CAF Confederation Cup as he lost to the eventual finalist, the Young Africans of Tanzania.

With much head up after losing to the Young Africans in the quarter-finals of CAF Confederation Cup, the Pride of Rivers came back to the domestic league on fire and won five games in a row to snatch the first position away from the interim keepers, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Abia Warriors who eventually did not make it to the Super 6.

Going to the Super 6 as Group B leaders of the Abridged league, there was a feeling of optimism that Rivers United might become the champions because the coach, Eguma, has shown far more tactical acumen and man management skills in the team, especially that their home matches are such a fortress as they were never beaten at home throughout the campaign.

However, a third place finish after a fierce battle with the eventual winners of the league (Enyimba International) is not a bad show and it will be important for the club to strengthen the club ahead in the summer transfer window with the signings of a more experienced striker and quality midfielders as priority and more tough decisions to offload players who had performed below average.

In all of the campaigns, Rivers United FC played 18 games and had 34 points with astonishing nine wins, seven draws and only two losses.

4.    Sunshine Stars 

Sunshine Stars of Akure to many came to the party through the back door having qualified for the Super 6 with a last gap, although the team had fair challenges against established oppositions.

The Akure Gunners have yet to be crowned champions of NPL, and so, they are potential outsiders in the sweet reckoning of the pundits and bookmakers to win the 2022/2023 crown.

The Coach of Sunshine Stars, Edith Agoye is not also a favoured candidate to win the league while the farthest they have gone was when the team represented Nigeria at the CAF Champions League in 2012, where they got to the semi-finals only to be knocked out by Al Ahly 3:4 on aggregate after playing 3:3 at home and lost by a lone goal in Egypt.

Also previously in 2011, Sunshine Stars got to the semi-finals of CAF Confederation Cup, but lost to Club Africain by lone goal over the two legged affairs.

Expectedly, the Akure Gunners did not make their participation in the Super 6 count as they only won a game 3:0 against the whipping boys, Lobi Stars. 

The Akure Gunners in the first match lost 0:1 to Rivers United, followed by 1:1 draw against Bendel Insurance FC, another 1:1 draw against Remo Stars and a scandalous 3:0 loss against Enyimba International FC of Aba.

For the Abridged league campaign, Sunshine Stars ranked up 27 points from 18 matches with seven wins, six draws and five loses.

5.   Bendel Insurance 
Bendel Insurance season can best be regarded to as a misfortune given thier pedigree and campaign in the Abridged league. For a team that just got promoted from the lower league and then sustained an unbeaten run of 18 league matches and another three in the Super 6 to claim the historic longest unbeaten run is a delight.

The Benin Arsenals only got their undoing in the Super 6 with runs of draws which are not enough to rake up the needed points to winning the league.

Although, Bendel Insurance is not a green horn to winning to league as they have previously won it twice, far back in 1973 and 1979, however, things have not been the same for the team as their fortune has dwindled especially when they were relegated from the Premier league two seasons ago.

The Monday Osagie-tutored team this season failed to sustain the tempo until it was far too late during the Super 6 and despite a sprint start, they could not salvage a top-three position in the Super 6.

The lag in their camp in the Super 6 according to many observers was due to tiredness and hangover from their efforts to achieve an unprecedented double, and also their failure to adequately fortify the team with another scoring partner to complement their main striker Imade Osarenkhoe.

Now with all their effort, Bendel Insurance almost lost out from the continental football, save their winning of the Federation Cup after languishing in distant 5th position in the NPL Super 6.

The tactics employed by Osagie being more defensive oriented could only pay off in the Abridged league but backfired in the Super 6 as the number of participants have greatly reduced to six making outright win more desirable than draws.

Bendel Insurance having gained some of their steel playing style and embarking on an 22-match unbeaten league run that included eight straight wins with 10 draws worth a place in the CAF Champions league playoffs, but a CAF Confederation Cup place still remained agonisingly a consolation.

6.  Lobi Stars of Makurdi 

Lobi Stars of Makurdi is a team many won't even give a chance to impress in the league as they are often classified as an average club.

Lobi Stars are the greatest beneficiaries of the Abridged League format as playing more matches would have exposed the management of the team of an urgent need to further beef it up.

Though the Mohammed Babaganaru-tutored team had once emerged as the NPFL winners in 1999, yet they are outsiders for this year's crown.

The Manager of the team and an astute Sports Administrator, Dominic Iorfa in an interview once said that the team would not be an onlooker in the Super 6 campaign at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena; but that was not to be as the team lacked the cutting edge to displace the league's giants such as Enyimba International FC, Remo Stars, Rivers United among others.

Eventually, Lobi Stars became the whipping boys in the Super 6 with no single win in all their matches while they managed a barren draw against Bendel Insurance, a 0:1 loss to Enyimba International FC, another barren draw against Rivers United, a scandalous 0:2 thumping against Remo Stars and another unfortunate 1:3 loss to less-fancied Sunshine Stars of Akure.

In the campaign at the Abridged league, Lobi Stars gathered 30 points from 18 matches with nine wins, three draws and six losses, having been placed second behind the Group B leaders, Rivers United.

Lobi Stars will have to prepare themselves for the prospect of recruiting better players for the next season that will keep them in the top half next season.

7.   Akwa United 

Next is Akwa United, the Promise Keepers. Right from the start of the league, the South Club have kept a decent form, but rather found themselves in Group A pairings which housed many top teams struggling for a limited top three finish.

Group A is an arguably tough pairing given the pedigree of its composition, and having clubs such as Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars, Enyimba International FC, Shooting Stars, Plateau United, Bayelsa United among others.

The Group A pairings consisted of clubs that have won the league more than once especially the league's regulars such as Enyimba International FC.

Howbeit, the 32 points attained by Akwa United is not a bad one as same was the point Enyimba International FC gathered, but the later got the chance at Super 6 via a superior head to head and goals difference.

Akwa United got it wrong in the Match Day 14 as they slipped from the second position to third in Group A of the 2022-23 NPL after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Plateau United in Jos.

Mustapha Ibrahim’s 36th-minute penalty secured all three points for the 2017 champions and condemned the 2021 champions to only their third defeat in 14 games this season.

Head coach Ayodeji Ayeni attributed his team’s slim defeat to hard luck but praised his players for their determination and fighting spirit during the game.

“The outcome of this match is not what we wanted, we went into the game with the mindset of winning but luck wasn’t on our side and we conceded that penalty which gave Plateau United the win.

“I’m impressed with the way we approached the game, especially in the second half. It was a tough game no doubt, we had our chances but couldn’t make good use of them.

“It’s a match we should have gotten at least a point from but it didn’t happen, so we have to go back home and plan again because the remaining four games are crucial and we have to give our very best to ensure we meet our set target at the end of the season.”

The result in Jos means that Akwa United slipped to third on 23 points from 14 games while Enyimba moved up to second on 24 points after picking a vital away win against Kwara United.

From the defeat, Akwa United failed to recover as they were at the mercy of Enyimba International FC to drop points which they firmly did not. 

The Promise Keepers have the best venue as home ground (Godswill Akpabio Nest of Champions Stadium), but this had a little significance.

The South Club won the Match Day 25,  3:1 against Kwara United, but went down 0:1 against hard fighting Remo Stars, played a 2:0 win against El Kanemi Warriors and the decider, which was a 1:0 away win at Gombe which was not enough to put them in the last position on board the NPFL Super 6.

The 2020/2021 NPL champions now need to go back to the drawing board and see if they can reincarnate the spirit of the past year.

8. Abia Warriors 

For Abia Warriors, a club that shares same state with the league winners, their campaign at the 2022/2023 NPFL is a bit commendable, the team was once seated on the summit of the Group B standings until the Super powers came up with old strength to knock them off the top three, albeit, the team according to pundits lacked experience.

In all, Abia Warriors played a decent game and avoided controversies and were able to rake up a 27 points from 18 matches also same as Sunshine Stars who got the qualification ticket through head to head advantage and goals difference.

However the team managed to have eight wins, three draws and seven losses.

9.     Doma Unted FC 

Perhaps the revelation of the 2022/2023 NPL season is the North-based Doma United FC. The teams in the Group B feared the team especially playing at their fortress, Pantami Stadium in Gombe.

For a team that just gained promotion to the elite league, to a 9th placed finish in the Abridged league is a success.

At a point, Doma United FC were occupying the second position for about  four weeks until their decline.

The Doma United head coach, Akinade Onigbinde is a masterpiece tactician who is more focused on achieving results.

The Savannah Tigers however still cemented  their place in the NPFL despite an agonising two consecutive defeat away from home.

The Gombe based side were on course to qualify for the Super Six Playoffs until they lost 2-0 against Abia Warriors in the final match of the season.

Doma United had lost 2-0 away to Rivers United in a midweek match which was also a huge set back in their quest for a top three finish.

Before the game, Doma United were placed 3rd on the log of Group B, two points ahead of Sunshine Stars but they lost against Abia Warriors which means they missed out on the Super 6 playoffs.

The team gathered 26 points from 18 matches having secured seven wins, five draws and six losses.

10. Plateau United 

Plateau United with 23 points in the Group A standings of the 2022/2023 NPL is not much of a desirous finish for a team with such a hype.

Having a young experienced coach like Fidelis Ilechukwu should have counted much for a team that just came second in the previous league decider.

Ilechukwu is not new when it comes to the league as he has been around, especially with his past success as the manager of MFM FC, a team he propelled from nowhere, to a second place finish on the league and eventually guided to their continental football actions.

Pundits believed that Plateau United are sometimes legartic which caused their less-fancied performance in the 2022/2023 league season.

Sometimes, their reactions to defeats are less impressive.

Maybe what further compounded their woes was the sanction melted on them by IMC for breaching its rule.

IMC had to deduct three points and three goals from Plateau United for physical assault on Match Officials by their fans who breached security at the end of MatchDay 17 fixture against Remo Stars at the New Jos Township Stadium on Sunday, May 7.

In addition to the points and goals deduction from their total accrued, Plateau United were also ordered to pay N2.5m as sanctions for other breaches arising from the incident.

Furthermore, the New Jos Township Stadium was ordered closed indefinitely to Plateau United fans until adequate and verifiable security measures including written guarantees to the NPFL to prosecute any person found to create disturbances in the course of their home matches are put in place.

This was a low point for Super 6 chasing Plateau United as the effect was felt just as the season was winding down.

11.   Shooting Stars 

It was definitely a shambolic season for the Ibadan darling club, Shooting Stars FC, regarded as one of the most successful clubs in the history of football in Nigeria.

For Shooting Stars to finish in such a low point and with a handler, a one-time league winning coach, Gbenga Ogunbote is not a desirous situation and eventually missing out on Super 6 induction, it shows a squad that requires major surgery.

Shooting Stars have almost become a toothless bulldog that cannot bite, this is against their old status as one of the most respected and feared team not only in Nigeria, but in Africa.

Coach Ogunbote in one of his comments aimed a dig at the players and the squad over their lack of winning culture while he was eventually vindicated with an 11th place finish. 

A summer squad strengthening is essential for the team, more than that, Shooting Stars need to wake up from their slumber to rediscover the club's identity.

Their paltry five wins from 18 matches with eight draws and five losses is the result that should be left for minows of the league.

12.      Niger Tornadoes 
The Niger Tornadoes 2022/2023 season in the Premier League did turn out even better than their last, the team having to finish in 12th position is a bit comforting given that the team is much of an average clubside and always hovers around the top half of the table.

13.      Bayelsa United
A top-half Premier League finish for the Southern Club, Bayelsa United again in four years after winning the coveted trophy in 2009 should give the fans hope that they can finally shed their reputation as a club' flitting between the top flight and the winners of the league.

Backed by state fund, Bayelsa United is one of the well-sponsored clubs that should use the advantage to their success.

Having Robert Mizo who was among the top scorers in the league, with seven goals, Bayelsa United should be able to find a suitable partner for the goal poacher to complement his goals for a better outing next season.

14.   Rangers International FC

By all standards, the Flying Antelopes campaign in the 2022/2023 NPL season is rather ludicrous; for a team like Rangers International with all their pedigree having to be placed below the second half of the league table is less desirous.

At a time, the Flying Antelopes were aiming to avoid relegation but the fact that they have earned a scratching 14th-placed finish is testament to their bad results.

Rangers International FC were just two points above the drop zone after a 17-game run in the league. They also struggled for goals, having scored only 16 times in 18 matches, and conceded same number of goals.

15.        Wikki Tourist 

Although they are big spenders, Wikki Tourists have their fate sealed in the Match Day 16 and since then have resigned to their fate to play in the lower league with a paltry 19 points.

Perhaps, the major issue with the club centred around poor management, coupled with fans unrest which led to a ban by the IMC.

IMC slammed a hefty fine on Wikki Tourists with points and goals deduction after the club fans assaulted match officials during a game against Bayelsa United.

According to IMC, all four match officials were assaulted during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, in Bauchi.

Three points and three goals were docked from the cumulative Tourists’ performance this season as punishment.

The club was also fined N2,500,000 for failing to “provide adequate security for the match officials before, during, and after the match which resulted in the assault of the match officials”.

For Wikki Tourists, they will start a new life in the lower league maybe with a hope to make a sooner than later return.

16.      Gombe United
An ultimately uncomfortable 16th-placed finish is a failure, but it also projectively tells the story of a turbulent season in which Gombe United spent weeks flirting with relegation, and struggles in front of goal.

The team with frugal purse has nothing to fight for as their compatriot Doma United are doing well in the league.

A safety finish for Gombe United is however a consolation to beef up for the next season.

17.  Kwara United

Many pundits have queried why Kwara United failed to turn up this season.

The Harmony Boys were faced with lots of uncertainties this season having no recognised home as the Ilorin Township stadium failed to meet up the standards set by the IMC.

The experienced coach Kabiru Dogo did little to savage the situation as the inconsistencies have eaten deep into the fabric of the team.

The Harmony Boys played the first stanza of the season at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan due to ongoing renovation works of the Ilorin township stadium, but changed the venue when their fortunes went deep and subsequently approached IMC for a change of venue which was graciously granted.

IMC later granted approval to adopt the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure as Kwara United's new home ground for the second stanza of the 2022/2023 abridged season.

In a letter dated March 2, 2023, and signed by the Head of Competition Department, Sunday Obaseki on behalf of the Head of Operations of the NPFL, the approval took effect from Matchday 10 of the NPFL.

“We are pleased to inform you that the NPFL has approved your request to adopt Akure Township Stadium as your home ground, effective from match-day 10 fixture, Kwara United FC vs El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri."

This gesture did little to impress on their fortune as the team only escaped relegation by whiskers.

18.    Nasarawa United

The State-funded Nasarawa United is one of the unfortunate relegated teams in the NPL, as the state government tried its best to save the team, but things failed to go their way as they have to play thier home matches away from home due to ongoing renovation and redesigning of Lafia Township Stadium.

After a shocking 2-1 home defeat to El Kanemi Warriors in Jos, the Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, Bala Nikyu, had to quit his role with the Solid Miners.

Nkiyu who has been with the Solid Miners since the 2019/2020 season spanning three years had to quit after the unfavourable results.

While this came as a shock to some football fans, it was expected in some quarters due to the shaky performances of the Solid Miners, who two seasons ago were runners-up at the Aiteo’s Cup.

But the Solid Miners, who finished sixth last season, are then just one point above relegation embattled El Kanemi Warriors after 12 games played so far this season.

The club under Bala Nikyu has lost eight times, drawn three times and won twice having conceded 17 and scored 10 goals.

During his three-year spell with the recently floundering Nasarawa, Coach Bala played a total of 93 games, where he won and lost the same number of games. He won 38 times and lost in the same number of games with 17 draws during his stint with the Northerners.

Left with another Coach Kabiru Dogo who was left with no hope to savage the ruins left behind by Nkiyu.

The Solid Miners were eventually relegated to the Nigeria National League after a 1-0 defeat against Kwara United in Akure on match-day 17 of the abridged 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League.

It was Yahaya Ibrahim’s 82nd-minute goal that condemned the Solid Miners to the second tier football for next season, after they had frantically tried to force a draw for most of the game.

Separated by just a point on the table, Kwara United had to take their destiny as a matter of urgency and their flurry of chances.

19.     Dakkada FC
Founded in 2004 and formerly known as Akwa Starlets, the club gained promotion to the top flight in 2019, so they are not well grounded to fight for a place in the NPL and were subsequently relegated from the top flight football.

20.    El Kanemi Warriors 

Perhaps the most agonising relegation is El Kanemi, a team that got relegated without much fight 

The 2022/2023 season for the Maiduguri Warlords is undesirably worse.

Right from the start of the season, many pundits noticed many inadequacies in the team and a need for radical surgery if they are to avoid going under.

But repeated limp defeats to fellow strugglers, and embarrassing losses finally sealed their fate.

Finishing rock bottom of the Premier League with a paltry 10 points, El Kanemi Warriors lost 12 of their 18 matches with just two wins and four draws.

More agonisingly, the team could only manage 10 goals while they conceded 28 goals leaving them with an 18 goals deficit.