Lagos-based Ikorodu City and Ikenne side Beyond Limits have sealed their promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The two South-West teams emerged from the Southern Conference at the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 play-offs in Enugu. It was a tight affair before the final match day of the group, with all four teams (Ikorodu City, Beyond Limits, Madida FC, and Inter Lagos) with a chance of reaching the top flight.
Ikorodu City defeated Madiba FC 2-0 in the Lagos derby played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. Toheeb Yusuf scored in either half to help the Oga Boys beat their City neighbours to seal their first taste of top flight football for next season.
On the other hand, the Creative Championship League champions Beyond Limits defeated Inter Lagos 1-0 to also book their spot in the elite division next season. Just before the half-hour mark, Kparobo Arierhi beat his marker from a fine Taiwo Cole through ball before calmly slotting past goalkeeper James Faith. Despite enormous pressure from the Lagosians, the Academy boys held on to seal top spot in the group and their promotion to the elite division.
In the northern conference, Elkanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United progressed at the expense of Sporting Supreme and Sokoto United. Nasarawa United defeated Sporting Supreme 2-1 at the Cathedral, while Elkanemi came from a goal down to beat Sokoto United 4-1 in a one-sided affair at the UNEC Stadium.
It is an immediate return for the Warriors and the Solid Miners who were relegated from the NPFL in the 2022/23 season.
