Relegation Battle: Plateau United, 3SC, Others, Likely To Join Lobi Stars

Relegation Battle: Plateau United, 3SC, Others, Likely To Join Lobi Stars

Precious Oham

As the conclusion of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL draws near, the most likely teams to join Lobi Stars in the lower division have emerged, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Tin Boys from Jos, placed in the 10th position, are not safe yet despite having 48 points with a +2 goal difference. Plateau United has double away games against Heartland FC and Enyimba FC, respectively and an inconsequential game with neighbours Lobi Stars in Jos.

Gbenga Ogunbote's led Shooting Stars, who started the league on a good note, sadly, capitulated in the second round, failing to rack up points both home and away.

The Oluyole Warriors, with 48 points and a -2 goal difference in the 11th position, have a mountain hill to climb with crucial games against Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars and Rangers International.

Kwara United, on the other hand, with 47 points, will travel to Aba to face off with Enyimba FC in a match day 36 clash before returning to Ilorin to host another strong side, Rivers United.

The Harmony Warriors will fancy their chances to escape the drop in their final league game against Katsina United away from home.

A resurgent Nasarawa United, under Salisu Yusuf, placed in the 13th position on 46 points have Lobi Stars to contend with while their last two matches are against Enyimba FC in Aba and Rivers United in their adopted home ground in Gombe State.

Katsina United, on 44 points, seemed to have a fair advantage as they host Kano Pillars and Kwara United at home, while they may try their luck in Enugu against Rangers, who have suffered 6 defeats at home this season.

Niger Tornadoes is another relegation-battling side on 44 points.

They host Abia Warriors and Kano Pillars at home and face off with another relegation-threatened Sunshine Stars in Ijebu Ode.

The lads in Maiduguri, with 43 points, host newly crowned champions, Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars, at home and will travel to Umuahia to confront Abia Warriors.

Emmanuel Amuneke-led Heartland FC have tricky ties with Plateau United, Bendel Insurance and Akwa United.

With 42 points in the 17th position, the Naze Millionaires are condemned to beat Plateau United in their next home game while they try their luck in Benin.

 The final showdown is against visiting Akwa United, who are also in the murky waters of relegation.

Placed in the 18th position on 41 points, Akwa United, who managed to survive last season, will contend with clubs in the Southern part of the country.

A trip to Benin to take on Bendel Insurance and a home game with Bayelsa United before the make-or-mar encounter with Heartland in Owerri.

The pressure to escape the drop is on the Promise Keepers under the tutelage of Kennedy Boboye, who is known to be a dogged fighter.

The last team in the 19th position are Sunshine Stars, who have endured a torrid season, playing away from home in Ijebu Ode and Ikenne.

They take on Shooting Stars, Niger Tornadoes and El-Kanemi Warriors in their last three games having managed to pick 41 points with an astronomical -14 goals difference.