Gateway, Zamfara 2 others down, as Enyimba zoom on

Premier league debutants, Gateway FC of Abeokuta saw it coming; but, there was no hiding place for them as the rough current of the Nigerian Premier League swept them and three others back to the National Pro league waters. Of course, the Abeokuta boys had just had the feel of what football was like down on the earth surface from their Olumo Rocks abode.

Coaches were sacked; just as players were constantly replaced; all to no avail. At the end of hostilities, Gateway FC led three others; Zamfara (41 points from 38 matches), Gabros FC 46 points from same number of matches and NPA Seasiders FC 47 points from 38 matches, to the lesser division of the Nigerian football league.

Just as the sad cords were being pulled on Gateway and co, four other teams, were toasting and clinking glasses over having done well. Enyimba FC, the peoples elephants had reasons to sound a louder trumpet than the other two.

The Aba Boys made true their promise to pick-up the two pride prizes in the nation's football calender...the FA and the League trophies; both are resting in the Umuahia Government House of Abia State; afterall, the team, with all it enviable exploits both home and abroad, have no Club House or Administrative Complex.

While Enyimba FC grossed 72 points from their 38 matches, Rangers FC, trailed behind by Nationale made it 67 points and 65 points respectively to place second and third on the table.

THE FINAL STANDING OF THE NIGERIAN PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS

TEAMS P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Enyimba 38 21 9 8 62 23 +39 72

Rangers 38 20 7 11 33 22 +11 67

Nationale 38 20 5 13 34 29 +5 65
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Gombe 38 19 7 12 36 26 +10 64

Dolphin 38 18 4 15 37 33 +4 58

3SC 38 17 7 14 40 35 +5 58

Kwara 38 16 9 13 35 30 +5 57

Sharks 38 16 6 16 42 37 +5 54

Pillars 38 16 5 17 37 38 -1 52

Berger 38 17 4 17 33 36 -3 52

Lobi 38 14 9 15 41 39 +2 51

Nasarawa 38 16 3 19 39 50 -11 51

El-Kanemi 38 15 5 18 39 38 +1 50

Tornadoes 38 14 8 16 40 33 +7 50

Wikki 38 14 8 16 28 44 -16 50

Insurance 38 15 3 20 39 51 -12 48 - escaped by the whiskers.
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RELEGATED TEAMS

NPA 38 13 8 17 40 47 -7 47 - most unlucky side.

Gabros 38 13 7 18 36 48 -12 46

Zamfara 38 11 8 18 33 47 -14 41

Gateway 38 8 10 20 27 50 -23 34