NNL changes promotion format as Southern Conference A teams get ready

By Emmanuel Chinedu

The Nigeria National League has revised the promotion format for teams advancing to the Nigeria Professional Football League at the end of the season.

The revised format, as ratified at the NNL Annual General Meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday, now offers a direct promotion slot to the top team in each of the four conferences, replacing the erstwhile Super Eight playoff.

Abia Comets Football Club of Umuahia has acknowledged the outcome of the NNL draw which placed the Comets Boys in the Southern Conference A for the 2025/26 season.

Abia Comets will begin their campaign with a home fixture against Lagos Nigeria based club, Smart City FC, on November 8 and will also playing host to Ikenne based side, Beyond Limits, in the first two home games of the season.

The other clubs in the Southern Conference A include Sunshine Stars, Inter Lagos, Smart City, Godswill Akpabio United, Heartland, E-World United and Beyond Limits FA, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive race for the sole NPFL ticket.

Abia Comets say they “remain confident in the quality of the squad, the technical depth of the coaching crew, and the unwavering support of the fans” as the Umuahia-based club strives for a successful NNL season.