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By: Abiodun Adewale.
After just two seasons in the second division, Sporting Lagos, have gained promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League, thanks to a 2-0 win over Stormers FC in their second game of the Nigeria National League playoffs in Asaba on Monday.
Rivio Ayemwenre scored the first goal for Sporting 55 minutes into the game, while Okon Saturday netted late to seal their place in the Nigerian topflight next season.
Paul Offor’s side are the first team in the NNL Super 8 to confirm their status ahead of next season. Their last group game is against Heartland on Wednesday and the former NPFL champions must avoid defeat if they hope to join Sporting in the NPFL.
After playing a goalless draw in their first game against Stormers on Sunday, Heartland recorded their first win of the playoffs with a 1-0 win over FC One Rocket on Monday.
In the northern conference, former NPFL champions Kano Pillars are within a point of securing promotion back to the topflight after recording a 2-0 win over DMD FC of Maiduguri at the ongoing playoffs in Asaba.
Mubarak Sanni opened the scoring for Pillars in the first half and a second half beauty by Abdullahi Haruna sealed the second win of the NNL Super 8 for Evans Ogenyi’s side.
The four-time winners of the NPFL now require at least a draw in their last round-robin game against fierce rivals Katsina United on Wednesday, as they hope to return to the topflight, one year after they were relegated to the second tier.
Katsina United’s hope of booking an early ticket back to the NPFL suffered a setback on Monday as they were beaten 2-1 by EFCC FC in their second game.
EFCC raced to a two-goal lead in the first half before prolific striker, Victor Mbaoma, pulled one back for Katsina United.
With three points each, Katsina and EFCC must win their last group games on Wednesday to stand a chance of promotion to the NPFL. Katsina battle Kano Pillars while EFCC tackle DMD.