NPFL day of reckoning as the regular season ends today 

By Olusola Adebayo

It's a day of reckoning for some teams as a lot is the regular season of the 2023 Nigeria Premier League comes to an end with a round of 18 matches to be across 10 centers all starting simultaneously by 4 pm, 

For the uninitiated, the 20 teams were divided into two groups ( A and B) of 10 teams each, abridged format where the top three tops from each group will proceed to season playoffs to determine the eventual winner of the league. 

After 17 rounds of matches, which spreads over five months, some fates have been decided while some will be decided in the last 90 minutes of the final day of the regular season. 

In group A Bendel has confirmed their place in the Super Six irrespective of the outcome of their match today. Though they have a small matter of keeping their unbeaten run and also finishing on a high to sort out.

While Rivers United and Lobi Stars in group B have also punched the Super Six ticket with a game to spare.

Meanwhile, Elkanemi Warriors, Nasarawa United, and Dakada FC have also been relegated.

But the undecided fates are far more and they make the final day an interesting matchday to savor as all the undecided fates, must be sorted at the end of the 90 minutes today. 

Golden Gloves race 

The first is the Golden Glove race, the winner(s) will be decided after today's matches. 

The golden glove is won by the Goalkeeper with the highest number of clean sheets.

Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars won it last year, and he is also in the running to defend it this year. He is jointly topping the chart with Bendel Insurance Goalie, Amos Obasogie. 

Both players are currently on 8 clean sheets and they are both available for selection today as Bendel Insurance travels to and Remo Stars host Kwara United in Ikenne. 

Golden Boot race 

Chukwuemeka Obioma of Enyimba is leading the goal-scoring chart with 14 goals while Robert Mizo of Bayelsa United and Imade Osanrenkhoe of Bendel Insurance are both on eight goals in a distant second.

Unless, something out of this world, Chukwuemeka Obioma should be crowned the goal king of the season after the regular season.

Top 3 race down to the finish line 

With three spots booked already out of six for the Super Six playoff, the fight for the remaining 3 places will go to the wire.

In group B, only one of Sunshine Stars, Doma FC, and Abia Warriors will qualify but all of them of a realistic chance of making it with 24 points, 26 points, and 24 points respectively.

Sunshine Stars have the brightest chance of making it as they already relegated Dakadda FC in Akure. 

Their destiny is in their hands as all they needed is to defeat Dakadda to book their place. 

It's a make or mar day for Abia Warriors and Doma as both sides confront each other. 

Abia Warriors need to defeat Doma United and wish Sunshine Stars fails in Akure while Doma is presently occupying the third, the final slot for Super Six,  needed an outright victory to consolidate their position or could still make it with a draw against their host depending on results elsewhere.

In group A, Powerhouse Enyimba needs a point against Shooting Stars in Ibadan to be safe while Remo Stars must beat Kwara United in Ikenne these two fates must be sealed today otherwise fourth place Akwa United can steal the show with a win over Gombe United as all the three teams will fancy chances of making top 3 going into the final day. 

Relegation Battle 

Bayelsa United needs a point in Minna against Niger Tornadoes to be saved while Wikki Tourists will be going all out for three in Markurdi against Lobi Stars. 

All these make the final day an exciting one as the expectations will put fans at the edge of their sit monitoring closely, all the actions across all centres.