NNL Super 8: Hostilities For NPFL Tickets Begin In Asaba Today

NNL Super 8: Hostilities For NPFL Tickets Begin In Asaba 

By Admin

The struggle for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the eight participating teams taking part in the 2023 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8, following the draws for the fixtures and order of play will commence today.

The promotional tournament gets underway on Sunday, at the Stephen Keshi Memorial Stadium, in Asaba, with all the eight clubs involve in MatchDay-1 action.

Four-time NPFL Champions, Kano Pillars will begin their quest to return to the top flight, after just one season in the NNL, when they take on Abuja-based EFCC FC starting at 9am, Sunday morning.

The second fixture in the Northern Conference has 11am as kick-off time, and it pits DMD FC of Maiduguri against Katsina United.

The Southern Conference teams will open their accounts in the afternoon, with Sporting FC of Lagos taking on FC ONE Rocket of Abat, Akwa Ibom State by 2pm; before Stormers SC of Abeokuta takes to the pitch to face Heartland FC of Owerri, starting from 4pm.

Unlike the NPFL Super Six in Lagos, there is no provision for rest days as Monday is scheduled for Match-Day-2.

EFCC FC of Abuja and Katsina United will lurk horns in the 9am kickoff, before Kano Pillars battle DMD FC of Maiduguri at 11am.

The Southern teams will return in the afternoon, with FC ONE Rocket up against Heartland FC aka the Naze Millionaires in the 2pm kick-off; before the day rounds off with a South-West derby between Sporting Lagos FC and Stormers SC, starting from 4pm.

Tuesday, July 4th is official rest day for the teams and officials; and action resumes on Wednesday, July 5th with decisive matches in both conferences.

DMD FC of Maiduguri and EFCC FC of Abuja who are rated by pundits as the pretenders, will faceoff in their last Group game by 9am; and two hours later the potentially explosive North-West or Arewa derby between Katsina United and Kano Pillars will take centre stage.

The last two Southern fixtures will see Stormers SC take on FC ONE Rocket by 2pm; ahead of the Heartland FC versus Sporting Lagos FC fixture billed to kick-off at 4pm.

The two top teams of each of the groups, would automatically punch their tickets to play in the NPFL next season; while the winners of the conferences, will go on to contest for the NNL title, in the grand finalé billed for Saturday, July 7, 2023.

NNL Super 8 Full Fixtures

Southern Conference

Matchday One: July 2

Sporting Lagos Vs FC ONE Rocket (2pm)

Stormers SC Vs Heartland FC (4pm)

Matchday Two: July 3

FC ONE Rocket Vs Heartland FC (2pm)

Sporting Lagos Vs Stormers SC (4pm)

Matchday Three: July 5

Stormers SC Vs FC ONE Rocket (2pm)

Heartland FC Vs Sporting Lagos (4pm)

Final game: July 7

Venue: Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba