Rise of a Football God
Chapter 64: Abridged format- Super 6 playoffs

The 2022/2023 season for the Nigerian Professional Football League was already drawing to an end after just 6 months of football.

Originally, this was not supposed to be the case but due to the unique circumstances surrounding this season, a few changes were made.

Due to the delayed start to the season, instead of following the normal format of a regular 38-matchday structure like in previous seasons, the 2022/2023 NPFL season followed an abridged format.

Instead of the regular 38-matchday structure, the league was divided into two groups, Group A and Group B, and each group had 10 teams.

This abridged format contributed to the reason why Enyimba FC dominated the top of the league table, this was because there were only 10 teams in their group and their strongest rivals were in the other group.

The season was already drawing to an end though, which also meant an end to the group stage football as the top 3 teams of both groups advanced to the NPFL Super 6 playoffs.

The Super 6 playoffs which determined the overall champion of the 2022/2023 season was supposed to take place from June 3rd to June 11th but due to Enyimba FC's deep run in the CAF champions league, it was postponed.

After their champions league win though, the national association rescheduled and finally, the schedule was set.

(NPFL Super Six playoffs!)

(Matchday 1:)

>Remo Stars – Bendel Insurance<

>Date: 14th June, 2023<

…

>Enyimba – Rivers Untied<

>Date: 14th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars – Lobi Stars<

>Date: 14th June, 2023<

***

(Matchday 2:)

>Bendel Insurance – Lobi Stars<

>Date: 16th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars – Rivers United<

>Date: 16th June, 2023<

…

>Enyimba – Remo Stars<

>Date: 16th June, 2023<

***

(Matchday 3:)

>Rivers United – Bendel Insurance<

>Date: 18th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars – Remo Stars<

>Date: 18th June, 2023<

…

>Enyimba – Lobi Stars<

>Date: 18th June, 2023<

***

(Matchday 4:)

>Remo Stars – Rivers United<

>Date: 20th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars – Enyimba<

>Date: 20th June, 2023<

…

>Bendel Insurance – Lobi Stars<

>Date: 20th June, 2023<

***

(Matchday 5:)

>Rivers United – Lobi Stars<

>Date: 22nd June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars – Bendel Insurance<

>Date: 22nd June, 2023<

…

>Enyimba – Remo Stars<

>Date: 22nd June, 2023<

9 games in 5 days…

To Enyimba FC, it was a very hectic schedule considering that they were all going to play in neutral ground at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

When you factor in the fact that Enyimba FC also had an FA cup game before traveling to Lagos, it was understandable why the team withdrew out of their champions league win celebrations early.

After winning the CAF champions league trophy, Sam really wanted to take some time off to stay with his family and his best friend to thoroughly enjoy it but unfortunately, he had professional obligations to play for his club.

And as the current best player of the club, Coach Yemi Daniel already put a lot of expectations on his shoulders. Sam could not afford to be out of form.

So, he trained.

For the next few days before 14th when the playoffs finally started, Sam stayed diligent with the help of his system as he trained alongside his teammates at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

The Enyimba FC squad went to Lagos ahead of time. As for the FA cup game, Coach Yemi Daniel delegated it to his assistant, leaving a team of substitutes for his assistant to approach the game with.

In their first game of the FA cup, Enyimba FC was understandably underwhelming as despite playing at home, the B team were almost knocked out of the competition by their opposition.

A last-minute headed goal managed to keep them in the competition.

And with that hurdle off, they focused on the Super 6 playoffs where Enyimba FC would take on Rivers United in a blockbuster encounter on matchday 1.

Like Sam was already used to, the days moved fast and in no time, it was already the D-day as he lined up alongside his teammates against Rivers United.

After the referee's whistle went off, just like everyone expected, Enyimba FC set the tempo of the game as their midfield dominated, making sure that they hoarded most of the possession.

Rivers United struggled to get into the game and after 30 minutes, the floodgates opened as Chijioke, the Enyimba left winger scored the first goal of the game, making it 1-0 in Enyimba FC's favor.

Just 3 minutes later, Farouk made it 2-0, scoring from a corner after outjumping every other player.

By half-time, Enyimba FC was in cruise control of the game. Even after second half started, they were in cruise control, leading 2-0 comfortably till just 5 minutes away from time, a defensive collapse cost them.

The first one was an unfortunate own goal as Ojo, the Enyimba FC goalkeeper deflected an easy shot into his own net, making the score line 2-1 in the 86th minute of the game.

Just 4 minutes later, a defensive mix-up allowed the Rivers United striker to sneak in a shot past Ojo, making it 2-2 at the death.

The Rivers United fans were loud, roaring at the top of their voices.

In the end, the double defensive collapse cost Enyimba FC as they ended their first game of the playoffs with a draw.

The full results for matchday 1 came soon after.

(Matchday 1:)

>Remo Stars 2-2 Bendel Insurance<

>Date: 14th June, 2023<

…

>Enyimba 2-2 Rivers Untied<

>Date: 14th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars 0-1 Lobi Stars<

>Date: 14th June, 2023<

…

Due to the high standards that they already set with recent performances, a draw in their first game of the playoffs was a slow start but Enyimba FC kept believing, training diligently till 2 days later when they played their second game.

This time, they went up against Remo Stars.

When the game started, from the first minute, something became clear, this game was going to be very different from Enyimba FC's first game.

Wary of their opponent's scary form and run in the CAF champions league, unlike Rivers United, Remo Stars didn't approach this game to win at all as they camped in their box, playing ultra-defensive football.

For 80 minutes, the Enyimba FC attack was frustrated time and time again despite Austin and Sam being on top of their game.

Together, the midfield duo created numerous clear-cut chances but their forwards were profligate, failing to convert any one of the chances.

In the end, despite missing 4 chances in this game already, Emeka, the Enyimba FC center forward was the one who won the game for his team after another defense-splitting pass from his captain.

After a frustrating night, Emeka finally came out on top in his duel against the Remo Stars goalkeeper, beating this goalkeeper finally in the 82nd minute to give his team the lead.

"GOALLL…!" Emeka roared in the Remo Stars goalkeeper's face, celebrating his goal exuberantly. He felt relieved after such a frustrating night of football.

The Remo Stars' players were devastated after such a solid defensive performance ended up with them conceding. For the remaining minutes, Enyimba FC kept on probing but the score line remained the same till the final whistle.

Enyimba FC won their second game of the playoffs 1-0.

The results of the other games were concluded sometime later and the results of matchday 2 was out.

(Matchday 2:)

>Bendel Insurance 1-1 Lobi Stars<

>Date: 16th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars 1-1 Rivers United<

>Date: 16th June, 2023<

…

>Enyimba 1-0 Remo Stars<

>Date: 16th June, 2023<

In 2 days, Enyimba FC would take on Lobi Stars for their 3rd game of the Super 6 playoffs.