BY SAB OSUJI

The  Nationwide League One, NLO, playoffs will come to a thrilling climax here at Onwubiko International Soccer Academy, OISA, Stadium, Okpala, near Owerri, with Anambra Derby involving A&A Kiviasennus, Nnewi and debutants, St Nwadinso, Oba, near Onitsha, today, 8 May, 2024.

Despite the two sides away from contention for the Lone slot from the Venue 9 of the playoffs, this fixture has become the major talking point here even before now.

St Nwadinso as a club, came into existence only in February, 2024 and have put on show remarkable performance under young tactician, Obinna 'Nwa-Aba' Achebe. This playoffs has been, indeed, a good learning curve as they aim to cap their debut competitive campaign on high.

On the other hand, A&A Kivisennus have put on show extraordinary improvement since their debut in the playoffs in 2023 in Awka, Anambra State, where this playoff was hosted then.

A win for the Coach Ben Lotanna side today will take their total points haul in the campaign to 13, by far better than their overall haul last time out.

Although they arrived here at Okpala with their heads tightly screwed onto their necks for the ultimate result, it would still be garlands for the former Gabros International and Egypt returnee player now in the technical saddle of A&A Kiviasennus.

Thrashing pre playoffs favourites, Ikukuoma 3-1instantly announced their statement of intent in the playoffs.

John scored a brace in that thriller, finding the back of the in 30 and 39 minutes with Chukwukezie fetching the third on 70th minute.

Then came the 1-1 draw versus Heartland Feeders in which John, again, was the scorer on 23rd minute.

Leading scorer for the side, John, got his fourth goal of the campaign in their 2-0 defeat of First Mahi FC. He converted a penalty in 64th minute after Innocent had opened the scoring in 41 minute.

On the opening day of the OISA Center hostilities, A&A began their campaign with 2-1 derby win against Peace, Awka, Anambra State with goals from Chukwueze and Ikenna.

Regarded here as arguably 'The Best Team' that came to this playoffs at Ngor Okpala, A&A will aim to wrap up their campaign on high today with a possible win against St Nwadinso.

But it would be suicidal expecting victory on a plater because coach Obinna Achebe and his troops equally exit the playoffs on a blaze of glory, pointing to a potential 'tough Anambra Derby clash in Okpala' today.