El Kanemi Warriors will most probably be the biggest losers of the concluded regular season of the NPFL after they sensationally crashed out of the top league on the final day of action.
Heartland traded their relegation spot with El Kanemi Sunday on the back of a 2-0 home win.
El Kanemi finished 10th on the table with 30 points from 22 matches.
It was a most dramatic slide from the top of the table to the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the Maiduguri club, who by Week 15 were top of their group.
But seven rounds of matches after, erstwhile favourites to reach the Super 6 El Kanemi have now been demoted to the lower league no thanks to a run of poor results that included two home losses.
Their poor form was compounded by the sanction they received for crowd trouble during their Week 17 clash against Go Round FC as they were ordered to play three home games behind closed doors.
They now lead two other Northeastern clubs, Gombe United and Yobe Desert Stars, down the division.
Ironically, El Kanemi got off to a flying start by winning at Akwa United only for the Uyo club to now finish top of the group and into the championship playoffs.
The return of coach Mohammed Babaganaru to his hometown club has ended rather ingloriously.
By Kola Daniel
