Warri Wolves, Wikki Tourists lead NNL charge back to NPFL

By Olaolu Joseph –

The Nigeria National League (NNL) playoff concluded on Thursday in Delta State, with four teams earning promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists, who were relegated from the topflight in recent seasons, returned in style after securing crucial wins on the final day of the playoffs.

Group A saw Wikki Tourists dominate Yobe Desert Stars 4-0 to top the group with five points and superior goal difference. Barau FC of Kano also secured promotion after defeating Doma United 2-0 to finish second with an identical point tally.

In Group B, Warri Wolves edged Crown FC of Ogbomoso 2-1 to seal their NPFL return with six points. They were joined by Owerri-based Kun Khalifa, who triumphed over Osun United by the same scoreline, finishing second on goal difference.

It was a disappointing outcome for the South West pair of Osun United and Crown FC, who both fell short in their final matches and missed out on promotion.

The newly promoted quartet—Warri Wolves, Wikki Tourists, Barau FC, and Kun Khalifa—will replace Sunshine Stars, Heartland FC, Akwa United, and Lobi Stars, who were relegated from the NPFL at the end of the 2024/25 season.

This marks a significant reshuffle in the topflight, with emerging clubs like Kun Khalifa and Barau FC making historic breakthroughs alongside the return of established sides.

Fans now look forward to how the promoted teams will fare in the elite division when the new NPFL season kicks off.