Pain in the South-West as Ekiti United, Abeokuta Stormers and 1472 FC suffer NNL relegation
Saturday, May 11, 2024, marked a painful and eventful end to the season for three South-West teams in Group B1 as they suffered relegation from the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Ekiti United, Abeokuta Stormers, and 1472 FC all faced NNL relegation in the Southern Conference following the conclusion of the group B1 games on Saturday.
While 1472 FC, owned by business mogul Dozy Mmobuosi, had already been confirmed relegated before facing Dakkada FC in Lagos, that fixture bore significant significance in the race for survival.
Coach Emmanuel King tutored Dakkada FC needed at least a point to secure safety but gallantly secured a 1-2 comeback win, with teen sensation Donald Godwin bagging a brace to keep the Chosen Ones in the second tier.
This result confirmed that 1472 FC finished as the bottom side in group B1 of the 2023/2024 NNL season and will head down to the Nationwide League after a failed debut season.
Ekiti United FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Abia Comets in Umuahia, sealing their drop as they finished the season in 11th place with 24 points.
In Ogun State, Abeokuta Stormers walked over Calabar Rovers, but that was not enough to secure their spot in the NNL. Vandrezzer FC’s 2-3 away win over Coal City FC of Enugu meant the Lions finished with 26 points, one more than the Stormers, who last season played in the promotion playoff.
For the promotion playoff spots in Group B1, Madiba FC and Beyond Limits FC finished in 1st and 2nd place, respectively, earning spots for the Super-8 in Enugu.
Action continues on Sunday, May 12, 2024, as the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League season draws to a close.
