NPFL debutants Barau FC officially secured their place in the Nigeria Premier Football League for another season following a dominant 3-0 victory over struggling El-Kanemi Warriors at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

While the hosts celebrated safety, the result left the Warriors’ survival hopes hanging by a thread with only two matches remaining in the campaign.

The “Debutants” showed no signs of nerves, controlling the tempo from the opening whistle. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when A. Sunday capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home the opener, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving Barau a deserved 1-0 lead heading into the interval.

El-Kanemi returned for the second half with more urgency but struggled to penetrate a disciplined Barau backline. The pressure finally told in the 70th minute when H. Ezeonye doubled the lead with a clinical finish.

The rout was completed in the 79th minute with a third goal that effectively ended any hopes of a comeback, sealing a historic three points for the league newcomers.

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With this win, the club moves clear of the relegation scrap, ensuring their “fairytale” debut season ends with guaranteed NPFL football next year.

The defeat leaves the Maiduguri-based side in a precarious position. Trapped in the drop zone, they now face a “must-win” scenario in their final two fixtures while relying on results elsewhere to go their way. (LEADERSHIP)

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