Relegation war in four cities as Nigeria premier league season ends today

The cities of Gombe, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Kano are the venues where eight teams will be fighting the battle of their lives to avoid a drop to the lower rank next season.In Gombe, Abia Warriors who are aiming to end the season on a high note will be guest of Gombe United who are […]

The cities of Gombe, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Kano are the venues where eight teams will be fighting the battle of their lives to avoid a drop to the lower rank next season.
In Gombe, Abia Warriors who are aiming to end the season on a high note will be guest of Gombe United who are neck deep in the relegation waters at the Patami stadium. Gombe need to win the match to end up with 50 points to await results from other centres to know if they survived the drop.
The Club’s Technical Adviser,Austin Eguavoen told Sunday Trust that the team will play out their heart to win the game to stay put in the Nigeria elite league.
Eguavoen said even though they will be without the service of their number one goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim because of national assignment, the players are in the right frame of mind to win the game.
In Port Harcourt,It will be a dicey one for Taraba United who are already with 50points from  37 matches as a lost in the game against host Sharks FC will see them losing their spot in the elite league because of their minus seven goals difference.
In Kano, El-kanemi Warriors will be at home against Sunshine Stars of Akure with 48points in their kits,a win will see them garnering 51 points that will guaranteed their being part of the premiership next season.  
 In Owerri, Heartland FC will host another relegation threatened side,Bayelsa United.
Bayelsa hitman, Peter Ebimobowei, says he is confident that his club will escape the drop.
 The Yenagoa-based club are on 16th position on the league table with 48 points, and will have to win at Heartland to fancy staying in the elite division.
 Ebimobowei believes that Bayelsa United can pull off a win at Heartland to secure themselves top flight football for another season despite finding themselves in a precarious position.
 The forward also holds the view that the Restoration Boys still have their fate in their hands going into the final day, which will witness a barnstorming finish at the foot of the league table.
 “I believe we will stay in the Premier League by the grace of God even though it has not been the best of season for us. As professionals we know what is at stake and we will do our very best to win at Heartland though we expect it to be a very difficult match.
 “Right now we cannot afford to lose or even drop points as results of other teams in the same situation as us could determine who goes down or stay up. We just have to win against Heartland, and the good thing is we still have our fate in our own hands to determine what happens no matter the results from the other games,” Ebimobowei said.
But Heartland FC’s rising youngster, Emmanuel Iwu, has sounded a stern note of warning to relegation-haunted Bayelsa United that there would be no favours for them today.
Iwu, who has impressed for the Naze Millionaires in his debut season in Nigeria’s top flight division,said that his side are looking to end the season on a high.
When asked if they would soft-pedal for United, Iwu retorted “No, no. We won’t be doing them any favours. We also want to secure ourselves and finish on a high.”
The Taye Academy of Owerri product however sympathized with United on their current plight, saying such happens in football.
“It’s sad. They have good players and I’m sure they won’t be happy but that is football for us. It can happen to any team,” Iwu said.
Any result short of the maximum points might spell doom for United and if Iwu’s words are anything to go by, the Restoration Boys may just be set for another return to the lower division after two successive seasons in the elite league.
In other centres,Nasarawa United will be home in Lafia against Warri Wolves for a battle for one of the continental ticket.A win for any of the two will place them at advantage to represent Nigeria in the Continental championship next season.
It will be a battle royal in Aba as league Champions,Kano Pillars confront Enyimba International FC,the Aba war lords.Whatever the outcome of the match the boys from the ancient city of Kano will be handed over their trophy this evening.
In Ibadan, Crown will host Akwa United,Nembe City takes on Giwa FC in Omoku,Kaduna United will also take on Enugu Rangers in Kaduna just as Lobi Stars takes on Dolphins in Katsina Ala.