The Chairman of the Nigeria National League, Chidi Offor Okenwa has stressed that they expect the four teams that qualify from the ongoing Super 8 in Aba to give a good representation of the lower league when they play in the Nigeria Professional Football League 2018-19 season.
It was as if the playoff to determine the four teams that will secure promotion tickets to the NPFL will never take place due to series of controversies that trailed it but the tournament did kickoff yesterday at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba with four matches on display.
Gombe United and Kogi United shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Joseph Onoja and Ibrahim Enesi scoring for both teams and Okenwa in an interview disclosed that the tournament will not only unearth teams that will play in the top flight to make up the numbers but that they expect them to compete.
He thanked the Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation for the role played to ensure that the Super 8 eventually started despite the hiccups that have threatened it for the past months.
“I want to start by thanking the Nigeria Football Federation headed by the President, Amaju Pinnick and others for making it possible for us to be here doing this very beautiful business,” he told the media.
“I take exception to the controversies. All those involved in this sport are youth irrespective of their age. You know what happen to youth, they agree to disagree and vice versa. There were family issues they were teething but they had been resolved. We have done what we are supposed to do in terms of organization of the tournament.
“We are looking forward to the gladiators-the players to do the very needful which is the delivery of the best teams to the NPFL. We expect them to compete in the NPFL and not just to participate.”