By Harry Awurumibe At a time the harsh economic climate in the country has led to financial crises in all the football clubs in Nigeria leading to their poor performances in the just concluded season, two privately owned clubs have maintained their premiership status.
Giwa Fc and FC Ifeanyiuba put up brave fight to survive the tough financial challenges involved in running a premiership club.
While Giwa and Ifeanyiuba Fc will play in the elite division, four state government-owned clubs were relegated to the second tier football.
The state-sponsored clubs that lost their position in the top flight division are Bayelsa United, FC Taraba, Kwara United and Sharks FC of Port Harcourt.
These state government financed clubs will compete in the lower league next season following their relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Meanwhile, Giwa Fc sponsored by Ambassador Christopher Giwa narrowly missed a continental ticket to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup competition next season just it finished in the fifth position in the league log.
FC Ifeanyiuba financed by oil- magnet Ifeanyi Uba finished in the 11th position and will remain in the elite division of Nigerian league.