Nigeria National League

Coordinates: 9°1′47.8″N 7°26′51.4″E / 9.029944°N 7.447611°E / 9.029944; 7.447611

Nigeria National League
Country Nigeria
Confederation CAF
Founded 1979 (reorganized 1991)
Number of teams 32
Level on pyramid 2
Promotion to Nigeria Premier League
Relegation to Nigeria Nationwide League
Domestic cup(s) Nigerian FA Cup
Current champions Niger Tornadoes(Minna)[1]
(2015)
Most championships Dolphins/Eagle Cement (3)

The Nigeria National League (formerly National Division 1) is the second tier of club football in Nigeria.

History

From 1997-2011, the league has been split into 1A for Northern teams and 1B for southern teams. The top two from each division are promoted to the Nigerian Premier League the next season. The exceptions were the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons where there were four divisions of eight teams each, with each division winner winning promotion. Up to four teams in each division are relegated each season to the Amateur First Division. The league was renamed June 19, 2008. In 2012 the league expanded from 32 to 36 teams with 2 more teams promoted. The league used the 2006 format, with four divisions of nine teams each, with division winners receiving automatic promotion. In 2012-13, it went back to two divisions of sixteen. For the 2015 season, it will use four divisions of eight teams.

2016 season

Season began May 7 and ended in October[2] Teams in bold won promotion to 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League

2015 season

The season began 2 May.[3] Niger Tornadoes were crowned champions of the 2015 Nigeria National League after they won the final match against Plateau United by 1-0 courtesy of a goal scored by Lukman Mohammed through a penalty kick in the 75th minute of the game. In the other game played later, MFM FC of Lagos defeated Ikorodu United, also of Lagos 4-2 on penalties after both teams ended proceedings 2-2 at regulation time to win the loser's final and claim third. The teams that participated in the Super-4 Tournament were Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, Plateau United of Jos, Ikorodu United of Lagos and Mountain of Fire and Ministries (MFM) FC of Lagos. [4] Team in bold promoted to NPFL for 2016

Changes from 2014

Promoted to Premier League for 2015 season

  • Group A: Wikki Tourists, Kwara United
  • Group B: Gabros International (Ede), Shooting Stars FC

Relegated from Premier League

  • Crown FC
  • Gombe United
  • Kaduna United
  • Nembe City

Promoted from Nationwide League

  • Atiba FC
  • Bussdor United FC
  • Ikorodu United FC
  • J. Atete FC
  • Court of Appeal FC
  • Yobe Desert Stars

Relegated to Nationwide League

  • COD United F.C.
  • Unicem Rovers
  • Prisons
  • Stationery Stores FC
  • TEAP
  • DSS

2014 season

The season began on February 15.[5]

Group A

Group B

Past winners

The league was a single table until 1998. Between 1998-2011 winners of the North and South divisions played a one-game playoff to determine the overall Division champion. Since 2011 the champion has been determined by a Super Four mini-league between the four promoted teams.

Season Winner
1991 El-Kanemi Warriors
1992 Concord FC, Abeokuta
1993 Enyimba
1994 Eagle Cement
1995 Kano Pillars
1996 Niger Tornadoes
1997 Kwara United
1998 Kwara Stars
1999 Udoji United
2000 El-Kanemi Warriors
2001 Kano Pillars
2002 Dolphins
2003 Mighty Jets
2004 Nasarawa United
Season Winner
2006 Zamfara United
2007 Sunshine Stars
2008 Warri Wolves F.C.
2008/09 Dolphins F.C.
2009/10 Crown F.C.
2010/11 Wikki Tourists
2012 Nembe City F.C.
2013 Giwa F.C.
2014 Gabros International F.C.
2015 Niger Tornadoes F.C.[6]

See also

List of Nigerian Clubs

References

  1. ↑ http://arthurbueze.blogspot.com.ng/2016/01/captain-of-niger-tornadoes-happy-with.html
  2. ↑ http://www.thenff.com/2016/04/national-league-to-commence-may-7/
  3. ↑ "NNL: Gombe Utd hosts ABS on May 2". Kwara Arise Online.
  4. ↑ "NNL:Captain of Newly promoted Niger Toranadoes delighted with progress". Arthurbueze Sportsblog.
  5. ↑ +Omaku Cephas. "NNL Kick-Off Date Rescheduled.". INFORMATION NIGERIA.
  6. ↑ "Niger Tornadoes FC beat Plateau United to win NNL Super-4 tournament". Vanguard News. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
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