NPFL Championship Playoff: Enyimba, Rivers United may pick first continental tickets today

• Mohbad, Brymo to thrill fans as IMC pegs fees at N1000, N2000

Defending champions, Rivers United and record title holders, Enyimba of Aba, may qualify for, at least the CAF Confederation Cup, today, if they win their respective matches at the ongoing Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) Championship play-off holding at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.

Rivers United and Enyimba have four points apiece from two matches and wins for both teams will take them to seven points, which could be difficult for the trailing teams to surpass with two matchdays remaining in the competition.

Enyimba will kick off the day’s proceedings with a potential cracker against Bendel Insurance by 2.00 p.m. The game will be followed by Remo Stars against Sunshine Stars at 4.30 p.m., while Rivers United and Lobi Stars will meet in the last game, which will start by 7.00 p.m.

The NPFL Championship play-off is offering three continental tickets, with first and second-placed teams playing in the CAF Champions League, while the third place finisher will earn a Confederation Cup ticket.

Enyimba drew 2-2 with Remo Stars on the opening day, while Rivers United defeated Sunshine Stars 1-0, with Bendel Insurance and Lobi Stars ending their tie goalless.

On day two, Remo Stars held Rivers United to a 2-2 draw; Enyimba defeated Lobi 1-0, with Bendel Insurance playing to another draw with Sunshine Stars.

Bendel Insurance will jump to five points and the second position with a victory over Enyimba today, same with Remo Stars if they beat Sunshine Stars.

A win for either Sunshine Stars or Lobi Stars will give them hope of a possible continental ticket if they go on to win their remaining two games.

According to statistics supplied by IMC Media, 12 goals have been scored at the championship so far, with Remo Stars two draws accounting for four of the goals.

Lobi Stars are yet to register a goal in the competition, while Enyimba and Rivers United have accounted for three goals each and conceded two also.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the competition, yesterday, announced that fans will start paying to enter the
Mobolaji Johnson Arena, venue of the competition from Friday when side musical shows will commence.

According to Executive Director at GTI Investment, financial investment partner to the NPFL Interim Management Committee (IMC), Nelson Ine, the musical variety is being introduced to add spice to the football thrills.

He said: “On Friday, June 9, we will be having on the sideline stage, Mohbad, one of Nigeria’s established Afrobeat Hip Hop singers and on Sunday for the closing events, Brymo, another big name artiste will take to the stage

“We believe a mix of music and football is good for the building of the NPFL brand by tapping into the appeal of music to our huge youth population.”

He disclosed that entry to the VIP extension will now attract a N2, 000 fee, while the popular terraces will require N1, 000 access fee.

The organisers say access to the VIP Box will be strictly by invitation, as only those with the official access tags would be admitted.