Tag: NNL Super 8

Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, Barau FC of Kano, Kun Khalifat of Owerri and Warri Wolves  have booked tickets to play in the upcoming 2025/2026  season of the  Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Bauchi Boys who prior to the deciding encounter have two points from two matches as against Yobe who had four points in their kitty came out strongly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba and wasted no time in scoring four goals in the first half against their helpless opponents. Also at the same venue, home team Warri Wolves bounced back to the NPFL after seeing off Crown FC 2-1 to top the Southern Conference with 6 points and superior goal aggregate.

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At the Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro, Barau FC had the better part of Doma United  FC whom they defeated 2-0 to book the other ticket from the Northern Conference while Khun  Khalifat recorded another 2-1 victory over Osun United  to complete the ticket of the Southern Conference.

With this result the four teams will now compete in the country’s top plight next season. However, the  Super 8 will come to an end tomorrow  when Warri Wolves takes on Wikki Tourists to determine the eventual winner of the second tier league

Yobe Desert Stars head coach Ernest Jupiter has stated that the Buni Boys are currently unstoppable and are gunning for another win against Wikki Tourists on Thursday in their last group game of the NNL Super 8 playoff fixed for Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

Yobe Desert Stars came back from a goal down to beat Doma United 2-1 on Monday and that maximum points has taken them to the top of Group A with four points with only a point enough for NPFL ticket against Wikki Tourists on Thursday.

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Jupiter, who once worked with Lobi Stars some years back said Yobe Desert Stars would build on their victory over Doma United to secure the points needed for the club’s return to the topflight for the first time since 2019.

“We are going to go for a win. We have seen their games and it is not a big problem,” Jupiter told journalists in Asaba.

“We are going to make sure we make the right reshuffles by adding  some experienced players.”

Warri Wolves head coach Napoleon Aluma has warned his boys not to get carried away by their victory over Kun Khalifat FC as topflight ticket was yet to be secured.

Aluma who thumbed up the performance of his players promised that there would be a better Warri Wolves team against Crown FC on Thursday.

The head coach praised the performance of the match officials at the ongoing NNL Super 8 playoff stating that since they are humans are bound to make mistakes once in a while.

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“The referees are doing their best and I don’t talk about officiating because the referees are humans.

“One thing you should know is that this division is the toughest in our leagues. El Kanemi Warriors won the FA Cup while in the lower league and Abakaliki FC despite going on relegation got to the final of the 2025 FA Cup. The potential in this league is so high.

“We promise to improve in the last group game.”

Warri Wolves are second in Group B with three points by virtue of better goals difference and must go for a win against Crown FC on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba to avoid any unwanted permutations as they seek elite division return for the first time since 2020-21 season.

Some coaches in the ongoing 2024/2025 Nigeria National League Super 8 Play-off have reportedly  turned  the heat on match officials for their teams shortfalls in the tournament which entered matchday two yesterday.

Yobe Desert Stars came from behind to peg Doma United in Mondays opening fixture at Stephen Keshi Stadium, a result that catapulted them to the summit of the Northern Conference group standings with four points from two games.

But rather than look in the direction of poor marksmanship and clay-footedness of his front men in front of goal for their defeat, Coach Akinade Onigbinde chose to haul blames on the match arbiter for his team’s 2-1 defeat.

“In the second half, we came out to play. But our eventual defeat has to do with officiating, let’s be frank with ourselves”, Coach Onigbinde said. “The first Assistant Referee, because of pressure from the Yobe Desert Stars bench, who were putting so much pressure on them, and he fell for it.

Read Also: NNL Super 8 playoff: Warri Wolves, Wikki Tourists, Crown under pressure to perform

“It happened three times, including the incident that led to the free kick that led to their second goal. It’s very painful”, a furious Onigbinde lamented.

Similarly, Abdul Maikaba, Head Coach, equally fingers the centre referee in his team, Wikki Tourists scoreless draw versus Barau FC in the second match of the day.

“I’m not happy with the officiating. They (referees), have taken sides and I’m not happy at all”, Maikaba fumed.

Maikaba’s reaction wasn’t a fair compliment as he tried to cover his team’s profligacy in front of goal. Time and time again, they threw away chances even with goalkeeper out of his post.