Heartland, Katsina & Kano Pillars seal Nigeria Premier Football League return

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

After the conclusion of the group stage of the 2023 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 in Asaba, the promotion quartet for the top-flight Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) were completed on Wednesday.

Victor Mbaoma’s penalty ensured that Katsina United will have an instant return to the NPFL after a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars.

The two teams sealed promotion tickets from the Northern Conference after DMD FC defeated EFCC FC 3-0.

Katsina United and Kano Pillars with six points apiece topped the group while DMD FC and EFCC FC will try again to gain promotion to the NPFL next season with three points apiece.

In the Southern Conference, already promoted Sporting Lagos suffered a 2-1 loss to Heartland FC.

Heartland had to come from a goal down after Chukwuemeka Kalu had given Sporting the lead in the 13th minute.

Francis Erikan equalised in the 34th minute before Ukadike Divine converted the winning goal for the Maze Millionaires.

Both sides picked promotion ticket from the Southern Conference as Heartland topped the log with seven points after three games with Sporting Lagos ending the group stage with six points.

Abeokuta Stormers 4-0 win over FC ONE Rockets was inconsequential as both sides will try to gain promotion to the NPFL next season.