Plateau United emerged champions of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League after defeating former champions Rangers International 2-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos on Saturday. They became the 19th team to win the top division and join Mighty Jets as the teams from Jos to win the title.

Emeka Umeh opened scoring in the 25th minute – assisted by Kabiru Umar before Benjamin Turba made it 2-0 two minutes from end of regulation time. The victory put Plateau United 4 points clear at the top after MFM FC lost 2-1 to El-Kanemi Warriors in Kaduna. Stanley Okorom’s penalty for the Olukoya Boys was sandwiched between goals from Ibrahim Babaginda and Yahuza Bala.

The two games were shown live on TV with the new deal between the LMC and NTA. There have been no live match from either Jos or Maiduguri but SuperSport made it to Jos while NTA had Maiduguri covered. Who would have believed that two NPFL matches will be simultaneously aired? Who would have believed that Maiduguri would be shown live on TV? Greater lie ahead next season with reports that all 10 matches will be aired live on Matchdays.

Apart from the battle to finish top, there was the little matter of who finishes 3rd. Enyimba pipped Katsina United 1-0 in what may be their last game in Calabar. They have been away from Aba for two years but there are hopes of returning to their slaughter slab in Aba. There is no better way to return than with a continental ticket. Stephen Chukwude’s 10th minute header was enough.

Akwa United finished 4th despite defeating Kano Pillars 3-0 in Uyo. Musa Newman, Christian Pyagbara and Michael Ibeh were the goal scorers. The Uyo based side would turn their attention to the AITEO Cup with the hope of winning the cup and picking up the remaining ticket to the continent.

At the bottom, Gombe United and Remo Stars were already relegated before the final day. Remo Stars lost 1-0 to visiting Sunshine Stars while the game between Gombe United and visiting Wikki Tourists was declared inconclusive after the match was stopped with Wikki Tourists 1-0 ahead. The away win secured top flight status for Sunshine Stars but Wikki Tourists will need to wait to see if they have survived.

Shooting Stars lost 2-0 to Niger Tornadoes in Lokoja and may feature in the lower division next season pending final results from Gombe. ABS FC lost 2-1 to Nasarawa United no thanks to a late goal from the spot by Seun Sogbeso. The Ilorin based side would sadly go down with their illustrious Puma shirt deal.

In other results, Abia Warriors came from behind to pummel Rivers United 4-1 in Umuahia with goals from Ndifreke Effiong, Stanley Nwuju and Moses Onduemeke. Guy Keumian had given the visitors the lead in the 24th minute.

Anthony Okpotu added to his goals tally as Lobi Stars held FC IfeanyiUbah to a 1-1 draw in Nnewi. The hosts, recently sanctioned by the LMC for incidents in their Matchday 36 encounter in Lokoja, needed a 68th minute goal from Samuel Ayorinde to avoid defeat after Okpotu had given Lobi Stars the lead in the 24th minute.

Anthony Okpotu emerged the highest scorer of the season scoring 19 goals – 1 more than Stephen Odey who has left the country.

Congratulations to Plateau United – Winners of the 2016/2017 NPFL.

Bonus: The WAFU Cup is next. How far can the home based Super Eagles go?

AmosCP