Femi Solaja
Niger Tornadoes of Minna yesterday emerged as the champions of the Nigeria National League (NNL) after a hard earned 3-2 win against Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan in the final match of the Super 8 Playoff at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu.
Aside the win on the final day, the entire tournament marked the return of some traditional teams like Shooting Stars, Gombe United and Remo Stars of Ikenne back to the elite division.
They will now replace Jigawa Golden Stars, Warri Wolves, FC IfeanyiUbah United and Adamawa United who got demoted in the 2020-21 campaign.
Although it could have been a complete circle but ‘Old Horse’ Bendel Insurance FC of Benin lost out to Remo Stars in the Southern Conference of the mini-tournament as the final day 2-2 draw was not enough to see the Edo team through.
Interestingly, Niger Tornadoes (then in Group A) and Gombe United (Group B), were relegated from the NPFL together with Remo Stars in 2019. The three of them are now back in the elite division.
Bendel Insurance and El-Kanemi Warriors, who were also relegated in same season, however failed in the bid to return and will have another day with destiny.
In a related development, the Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria has congratulated the four clubs from the NNL who gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL via the just concluded Super 8 Playoff.
Club owners said the four clubs showcased high level display of soccer artistry worthy to play in the top flight domestic league, the NPFL.
” We are happy to welcome you to the top flight league as worthy winners and assure you of our cooperation in the NPFL, ” Club owners said in a statement in Enugu jointly signed by the Chairman, Barr. Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka who were in Enugu to observe the Super 8 playoff.
The Association urged the newly promoted clubs to speedy up their preparations cum licensing requirements in order to have a smooth take off in the Nigeria Professional Football League expected to kick off soon.
Club Owners also congratulated the leadership of the Nigeria National League NNL for a successful conclusion of the season just as it praised the government and good people of Enugu for being a good host of the Super 8 play-off.
Teams Promoted
Niger Tornadoes
Gombe United
Shooting Stars
Remo Stars
