How Dakkada FC relegated from NPFL after 4 years
The Uyo-based team needed a victory to hang on in the league, till the last day of the season before their fate is determined, but they could only manage a draw.
By Olusola Adebayo
Dakkada FC's four consecutive years stay in the Nigeria Professionals Football League ended on Saturday, (6th May 2023) after they played out a 1-1 draw against Lobi Stars in Uyo on Saturday.
The Uyo-based team needed a victory to hang on in the league, till the last day of the season before their fate is determined, but they could only manage a draw.
The draw left them with just 13 points in 17 matches which means the team can only finish among the last two bottom teams in Group B irrespective of what happens on Matchday 18, the final day of the regular season.
Lanre Akinlade gave Dakkada the lead two minutes after the break after a goalless first half but Lobi Stars restored parity through Elijah Ani from the penalty spot just before the one-hour mark.
The draw was their fourth of the season, they recorded 10 losses and could only manage three victories, scoring 15 goals and conceding 26 goals in the process, a scoresheet that is not good enough to retain their NPFL status.
The team will now play in the Nigeria National League, NNL next season, the second-tier league which they last played in 2019 when they gained promotion into the elite league.