NNL: Sporting Lagos return to NPFL as Rovers, Osun United, First Bank suffer relegation
Sporting Lagos sealed a return to the Nigeria Premier Football League after edging Osun United 1–0 in Ile-Ogbo to finish top of the Nigeria National League Southern Conference B with
Sporting Lagos sealed a return to the Nigeria Premier Football League after edging Osun United 1–0 in Ile-Ogbo to finish top of the Nigeria National League Southern Conference B with 36 points at the end of the season yesterday.
The Noisy Lagosians narrowly beat closest challengers Akwa United, who finished second with 35 points after a 2–1 away victory over Solution FC in Awka. Solution FC ended the campaign in sixth position with 25 points.
Sporting Lagos’ decisive win came amid tense moments, as they overcame a missed first-half penalty and controversial officiating to secure promotion back to the topflight just two seasons after relegation.
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Their qualification, alongside Inter Lagos from Southern Conference A, means Lagos will parade three NPFL teams next season, with Ikorodu City already assured of retaining their topflight status.
Ekiti United emerged as one of the standout performers, finishing third with 30 points following a 2–0 away win over Stormers FC — their first away victory in nine matches. Their campaign was built on a perfect home record, winning all nine games in Ado Ekiti. Stormers dropped to fourth with 26 points after ending the season on a three-game losing streak.
Abakaliki FC, despite their strong run to the final of the 2025 President’s Federation Cup last season, finished fifth with 25 points after a narrow 1–0 loss to Rovers FC in Calabar.
However, the win was not enough to save Rovers FC, who finished eighth with 22 points and were relegated to the Nationwide League One alongside Osun United and First Bank FC. Osun United ended ninth with 20 points after their defeat to Sporting Lagos.
At the bottom, First Bank FC settled for a dramatic 3–3 draw against Godswill Akpabio United but still finished last with 15 points. Their opponents ended seventh with 24 points.
In Southern Conference A, Inter Lagos secured promotion ahead of Beyond Limits and Heartland FC, while Gateway FC and Abia Comets joined Dakkada FC in relegation.
NNL: Matchday 18 Results
Solution FC 1–2 Akwa United
Rovers FC 1–0 Abakaliki FC
Stormers FC 0–2 Ekiti United
Osun United 0–1 Sporting Lagos
First Bank FC 3–3 Godswill Akpabio United
