NNL: Ekiti United picks play-off ticket to join 3SC, others in Super 8 race
Ekiti United defeated visiting Dynamite Force FC of Iyahmo, Edo state on Sunday, thereby making history as it qualified for the first time for the play-off of the Nigeria National League(NNL), after ten years of campaigning in the country’s second tier football league.
Goals from veteran Isiaka Olawale and rising star Kamoru Adebari put the home side two goals up at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium in Ado Ekiti before the visitors reduced the tally, but the Samson Omiponle tutored side held on for the historic win in the last match to round off hostilities in the regular season of Group B1 of tbe Southern Conference of the NNL.
With the victory which took their points tally to 33 points and +6 goals difference, Ekiti United finished second behind group winners Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, which finished with 41 points and healthy goals difference of +19. Go-Round FC of Omoku finished in third spot with 31 points and +7 goal difference.
Ekiti Joined possessed by the Ekiti State government was set up in 2013 as Wellspring Football club.
3SC and Ekiti United therefore join Gombe United, Elkanemi Warriors, Niger Tornadoes and DMD as teams that have booked their tickets for the end-of-season Super 8 play-off to determine the four teams to be promoted to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Last two teams to complete the Super Eight line-up will come from group B2 of the Southern Conference and will emerge on Saturday 28 August, 2021 after final games at designated stadiums across the country.
Remo Stars, Bayelsa United and Insurers of Benin are the teams running neck-to-neck for the final two tickets to the Play-offs which will take place at a yet to be determined venue.
Results Of Final Round Of Matches (B1 Southern Conference):
- Osun Utd 2 – 1 Go-Round
- Ekiti Utd 2 – 1 Dynamite Force
- Rovers 0 – 0 3SC
- Nnewi Utd 1 – 1 FC. Nilayo
- Vandrezzer 3- 0 Delta Force (W/O).
