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 defeated Rivers United 1-0 and dramatically escaped 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.
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.
