Exclusive News
As the Interim Management Committee of the NPFL prepares to begin the last lap of the 2022/2023 NPFL Season, a League Analyst has taken a look at the chances of the qualifying teams, and arriving at the odds not favouring the Benin Arsenals :
Despite emerging top in the Group A of the abridged league with totality of unbeaten record, the Benin Arsenal may have history to contend with, as they may likely struggle to emerge champion.In 1999 super 4, Lobi stars of Markurdi won the title, the year 2001 witness a league that Rangers top in the regular season but Enyimba eventually won the league diadem.In 2006 , the Super 4 was won by unknown Ocean boys of Brass, Bayelsa state.Basically playoff is alway a different scenario for the clubsides aside from the regular season. Below are the profile of the six teams at a glance.
BENDEL INSURANCE– The 51 years old club. is the oldest outfit among the other sides.The club was created by former Governor of the old mid western region( Now Edo and Delta).The Monday odigie led side enjoy the financial backing of the lncumbent governor of Edo state with the support of Sports loving Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shuaibu.The side maintain an unbeaten record after 18 matches in the league which is unprecedented.They are once former kingspin in 1973 and 1979 when the league was at Amateur level.
ENYIMBA INTERNATIONAL- The. Eight times kingspin no doubt are the top favourite of the super six but their performance is average this season. The Finidi George tutored side
rose into prominence in the 2000s and are urguably the most successful Nigerian footballl club as they won the Africa champion league in 2003 and 2004 .The Aba millionaire have the penchant to do the miracle at the playoff level.They did so in 2001, 2007 in lagos.
LOBI STARS OF MAKURDI- The ortom boys in 1999 played in a playoff format which saw the top four teams squaring up in a knock out Super league .The 42 years old side won the super league .The playoff history favour the side to spring Surprises.They compete in the Group B of the season abridged league under the tutelage of an experience tactician Mohammed Baba Ganaru who was once aleague kingspin with the sai masugida, Kano pillar. Much will be expected from the North central side.
REMO STARS- The only private clubside among the six contenders came second in the group A of the abridged league.The sky blue lost gallantly in the caf confederation cup preliminary level after placing third in the last season.The young outfit performance is through the right motivation from the club owner, Honourable Kunle sonane. A lot is expected from the lkenne based side to follow the trend of private outfits like Leventis united of lbadan, Julius Berger of lagos.The young Gaffer, Daniel Ogunmodede have a lot of assignment to do for his ward to show class.
RIVER UNITED– The league defending.champion will be an hardnut to crack.The pride of Rivers will be going to the Super six as the defending champion and the experience they earn from Afica continental championship will be of help to challenge the hurdles of there opponent. They have an experience bench under the leadership of the longest serving coach in nigeria football, Stanley Eguma.
SUNSHINE STARS OF AKURE– They are the surprise side to Qualify for the super six.Despite having some lnternal lssue ranging from unpaid salary, Notice of sale of the owena waves. the Akure gunner under the former shooting star of lbadan, Sweat meechant Edith olumide Agoye proved bookmaker wrong when he Qualify his home state team to the super six. They have never win nigeria league since there lnception almost thirty years ago but they are reputed as one of the top club side.
