Clubs commend fans ahead Naija Super Eight national play-off

Being part of the forthcoming Naija Super Eight play-off is a privilege the participating clubs are not taking foregranted. And to show their gratitude for opportunity to play in the competition, which zonal preliminaries hold from June 23 to 25, the clubs have commended their fans, whose votes earned them slots in the tournament billed for Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State. 

One of the participating clubs, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, believe the competition would further prepare them for the soon-to-kickoff 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

In a statement on the club’s official Twitter handle, Lobi Stars, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Dominic Iorfa, dedicated the play-off slot to the club’s fans.

“We dedicate this to the fans because their votes made it for us. Now they can enjoy the excitement with us.

“Moreover, this will serve as a morale booster as we prepare for the Federation Cup quarterfinals. Our players have been exceptional this season and are determined to make the fans and Benue State government, who sponsors Lobi Stars proud,” he wrote. 

Commenting on the club’s qualification for Naija Super Eight play-off, Heartland FC’s General Manager, Promise Nwachukwu, in a statement posted on the club’s official Twitter handle, expressed appreciation to the fans for their unwavering support during the hard times.

“Our fans have been very supportive even in difficult times. The love, passion and commitment are unprecedented. They travel with the team and they have voted massively for us to participate in this Naija Super Eight. I cannot thank these fans enough,” he said.

Shooting Stars FC (3SC) also credited their fans with a post on its official Twitter handle, which reads: “To our ever supportive and trusted fans and supporters, we have been picked as one of the two clubs from the South West to take part in the play-offs for the Naija Super Eight tourney. We counted on your votes and we are glad your votes made it possible.”

Twelve teams from the six geo-political zones of the country emerged from the voting process, which produced a total of 1,926, 495 valid votes.  

Two teams that emerged from each zone will face each other in a knockout match to produce the team that will represent the zone in the main tournament. 

Naija Super Eight play-off fixtures as voted by the fans show that City FC of Abuja will play against Lobi Stars of Makurdi; Heartland of Owerri against Enyimba of Aba; Shooting Stars versus Remo Stars; Kano Pillars will meet Katsina United; Yobe Stars against Gombe United and Rivers United versus Bendel Insurance.

The play-off matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport channels on DStv and GOtv. The six winners of the play-offs will be joined by two wildcard teams for the main Naija Super Eight tournament to be held from July 7 to 16 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.