Championship Play-Off: Rivers United, Enyimba in winner-takes-all contest

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) defending champions, Rivers United, will battle former African champions, Enyimba today in a winner-takes-all final match of the ongoing Championship Play-Off at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Lagos. Following a 2-1 defeat of Bendel Insurance in the All-Group-Leaders clash on Friday, Rivers United were temporarily at the top but it only […]

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) defending champions, Rivers United, will battle former African champions, Enyimba today in a winner-takes-all final match of the ongoing Championship Play-Off at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Lagos.

Following a 2-1 defeat of Bendel Insurance in the All-Group-Leaders clash on Friday, Rivers United were temporarily at the top but it only lasted until Enyimba put up a commanding performance to beat Sunshine Stars 3-0.

With both Rivers United and Enyimba on eight points after four games and the ‘Peoples elephants’ enjoying the edge on goals difference, the battle for the ₦100m top prize is poised for the last fixture of the day

While the former African champions, Enyimba boast of a record eight titles, Rivers United first and only title came in 2022.

• NASS leadership: PDP alleges plot to arrest members-elect
• Emefiele: Security beefed up at MMIA private terminal

Therefore, there is so much for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ to play for as they go up against their more illustrious opponents.

In other MatchDay 5 fixtures, CAF Confederation Cup ticket hopefuls, Remo Stars will battle Remo Stars while bottom teams, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars slug it out in a dead rubber match.

Both stars had dropped out of the race on Friday after suffering losses to Remo Stars and Enyimba.

Remo Stars who represented Nigeria in this year’s Confederation Cup are third on the Championship Play-Off table with six points while their opponents have a miserable three points from three draws but the ‘Benin Arsenal’ can leapfrog the Sky Blue boys, if they win their final clash with at least four goals.

The Championship Play-off will determine the winner of the 2022/23 NPL season and will also throw up the two teams that will fly Nigeria’s flag at next year’s CAF Champions League, while the third-placed team will play in the CAF Confederation Cup.