Tradesafe FC and Beyond Limits have made it to the second division of Nigerian football – the Nigeria National League – after beating their opponents in the promotion playoffs on Saturday.
Tradesafe edged Lekki United 1-0 at the keenly contested game at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne. It was a battle of two Lagos sides, but the experience of Tradesafe came to fore as they made their way to the second division for the first time in their history.
In Osogbo, Beyond Limits (formerly Remo Stars Academy) defeated former NNL campaigners, First Bank FC, 4-1 to seal their promotion to the NNL for the first time.
Having lost to Madiba FC at this stage last season, Beyond Limits came into this fixture with the hope of writing history and they did just that in front of a sizable crowd at the Osogbo Township Stadium.
Midfielder Farouq Ogundare handed the Ikenne side the lead inside ten minutes, only for First Bank to equalise before the half-hour mark. Former NPFL/Laliga U15 top scorer, Kparobo Arierhi, then restored BYL’s lead before the break.
Despite the lead, Daniel Aiyenugba, son of Enyimba great and current Kwara United goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, was proving his worth between the sticks to maintain his side’s lead.
After the break, Olumide Ajibolade’s side stepped things up and scored two goals through Isaac Chukwudi and Kparobo to claim a memorable win.
In the other playoff games, Jedo Stars edged Kano Stars 1-0, while Maikunkele defeated The Kings FC by a similar scoreline.
The following teams will be playing in the NNL next season: Osun United, Coal City FC, Rahbam FC, Jedo FC, Maikunkele FC, Beyond Limits and Tradesafe FC.
