WHO WILL BE NIGERIA'S NEW LEAGUE CHAMPIONS?

By NBF News

The last fixtures for the 2008/09 Glo Premier League season will be decided tomorrow across the country with the destination of the coveted trophy not certain.

With 69 points from 37 matches, Bayelsa United look good to be crowned champions even if they lose to Warri Wolves at the Oleh Township Stadium in Delta State tomorrow. But the Yenagoa side must pray that Niger Tornadoes beat their closest rival in the title race, Heartland FC of Owerri at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, also tomorrow.

Heartland have 67 points and victory against Tornadoes will take their points haul to 70, enough to give them the league title should Wolves beat Bayelsa United.

'We will chase Bayelsa United to the finish line,' Media Officer of Heartland, Cajetan Nkwopara stated unequivocally early in the week ahead of tomorrow's last round fixtures.

'We shall go to Minna with victory as our target. Minna has always been a favourable ground for Heartland in recent years. Tornadoes have not beaten Heartland in Minna in the last two seasons. So, victory is very possible for us on Sunday. We shall throw everything we have into the game,' the Heartland's spokesman declared.

However, Bayelsa United have vowed to finish the season on top of the league table having held on to it for the better part of the season.

'We have worked so hard all through the season to deserve the Glo Premier League trophy. We cannot let it slip away at the nick of time. So, we will fight with the last drop of our sweat to take the trophy to Yenagoa after Sunday's match in Oleh,' declared Club Manager, Chief Victor Baribote Rumson.

'We commend the effort of Heartland for keeping the pressure on us all through the season alongside other teams on top of the table. We can only wish them good luck next season. They should forget about the trophy this season,' the achievement-driven chairman said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board, conscious of the dicey situation regarding where the trophy goes at the end of tomorrow's final fixtures, have concluded arrangements to provide a replica of the league trophy in one of the venues of the centres that will host the two crucial fixtures.

While the original shield would be taken to Oleh, the replica would be stationed in Minna.

One thing that is however certain, is the fact that the new champions of Nigerian League will emerge tomorrow. Will it be Bayelsa United or Heartland FC of Owerri?