Plateau United wrapped up their first ever Nigeria Professional Football League title on Saturday after a comfortable 2-0 win over deposed Champions Rangers in Jos.
Youngster Chukwuemeka Umeh set the Peace Boys en route to celebrations with a first half strike before homeboy Benjamin Turba sealed the victory, taking their points tally to an unassailable 63 points.
The result meant that second place MFM’s outcome in Maiduguri against El-Kanemi matter less as Kennedy Boboye’s men earned a deserved Championship title.
MFM ultimately lost against El-Kanemi in a game simultaneously broadcast with the Plateau United game. Stanley Okorom had leveled scores from the penalty first after Ibrahim Babangida’s first half opener for the hosts but Bala Yahuza scored a penalty of his own to wrap up scoring at half time.
In other notable games on Saturday, former Champions Enyimba sealed their 3rd spot for a return to continental action in a comfortable win over Katsina United in Calabar.
Striker Stephen Chukwude scored the game’s only goal after nine minutes when he powered home Stanley Dimgba’s corner kick.
Enyimba finished just over the line, beyond the reach of Akwa United who hammered Kano Pillars 3-0 in Uyo.
In the lower half of the table, Shooting Stars of Ibadan and ABS of Ilorin failed to get the result needed required to stay up and consequently join Gombe United and Remo Stars in going down to the second division.
Final day results
- Enyimba 1-0 Katsina Utd
- Plateau Utd 2-0 Rangers
- Gombe Utd 0-1 Wikki
- Abia Warriors 4-1 Rivers United
- El-Kanemi 2-1 MFM
- Akwa United 3-0 Kano Pillars
- FC Ifeanyiubah 1-1 Lobi Stars
- Nasarawa United 2-1 ABS
- Niger Tornadoes 2-0 Shooting Stars
- Remo Stars 0-1 Sunshine Stars
