With Matchday 19 concluded in the Nigeria National League (NNL) 2024/2025 season, both Conference A and B tables are heating up as clubs fight for promotion and survival in Nigeria’s second-tier football competition.

Conference A Overview

Title Race:

Warri Wolves and Smart City FC are the leading contenders. Warri Wolves, with 33 points from 15 games, top the table with a solid +13 goal difference. Smart City,  on 28 points but having played one more game, trail on goal difference despite scoring the same number of goals (20). Inter Lagos is lurking close with 27 points from 16 matches, but they may need Warri or Smart City to slip to stand a chance.

Dark Horses:

Crown FC and Abia Comets FC remain mathematically in contention with 27 and 22 points, respectively. However, they would need maximum points from their remaining fixtures and hope the top three drop points.

Mid-Table Battle:

Beyond Limits FA (19 points), Dakkada FC (16pts), Edel FC(15pts) , and Ijele SC (14 points) are locked in a tight mid-table battle. Any two wins could drastically alter their standings.

Relegation Watch:

Osun-based Igbajo United remain with a win in 16 matches (2 draws, 13 losses), sitting firmly at the bottom with just 3 points and a -28 goal difference. 1472 FC has withdrawn from the league.

Conference B Overview

Promotion Chase:

Kun Khalifat FC leads the group with 37 points from 17 games, closely followed by Osun United (30 points with a game in hand). Sporting Lagos and Rovers FC both have 28 points from 18 and 17 games respectively, and remain serious promotion contenders. It’s a four-horse race going into the final stretch.

Potential Disruptors:

Solution FC (25 points) and Madiba FC (23 points) could sneak into contention depending on results from the top four clashes. FirstBank FC and ABS FC are on 21 and 20 points, not mathematically out of the running but requiring a perfect run-in.

Relegation Zone:

Gateway United FC (10th, 17 points), God’swill Akpabio United FC (17 points), and Abakaliki FC (14 points) are in the danger zone.

Key Statistics from Matchday 19:

• Conference A:

• Goals scored: 10

• Away wins: 2

• Home wins: 3

• Draws: 1

• Conference B:

• Goals scored: 7

• Away wins: 0

• Home wins: 3

• Draws: 1

Looking Ahead:

Matchday 20 promises fireworks. Key fixtures like Osun United vs Kun Khalifat FC in Conference B and Abia Comets vs Beyond Limits FA in Conference A could define playoff spots and final standings.

 

With just a few games left, every point now carries the weight of promotion dreams or relegation nightmares.