Nigeria U20 star Kparobo shines as Beyond Limits and Ikorodu City soar into NPFL promised land

The Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL, is set for a shake-up next season as two of the country's most ambitious private clubs, Ikorodu City and Beyond Limits, secured promotion to the topflight in dramatic fashion in the NNL.

Leading the charge was Flying Eagles starlet Kparobo Arierhi, whose three goals made him the top scorer in the crucial NNL Super 8 playoffs to fire Beyond Limits to glory.

Kparobo's winner against Inter Lagos sealed a historic promotion for the rising club in just their first attempt at reaching the NPFL.

The talented youngster proved again why he is one of Nigeria’s most lethal finishers at his age with another match-winning performance.

Not to be outdone, Ikorodu City's "Oga Boys" matched their impressive feat by defeating Madiba 2-0 courtesy of a Toyeeb brace to book their place among Nigeria's elite.

The simultaneous promotions cap a remarkable rise for both clubs, who have grand ambitions of shaking up the establishment.

For Ikorodu City, it marks an incredibly quick ascent - they were saved from relegation only two years ago on the final day before reaching the relegation playoffs last season.

Their impressive progress has been accelerated by more than anything shrewd management by their football-grounded owners and directors, who were anything but bullish about their NPFL credentials.

Beyond Limits, meanwhile, have wasted no time in making their mark, emerging from relative obscurity to become an exciting new force propelled by emerging talents like Kparobo.

With the promotions secured, both clubs will now be setting their sights on thriving among the Nigerian elite and potentially gatecrashing the established order.

Ikorodu City's hierarchy has made no secret of their desire to quickly become a major force, backing up their ambition with impressive football sense.

Likewise, Beyond Limits' flourishing youth setup could unearth the next wave of stars to follow in the footsteps of teenage idol Kparobo as they eye up a shake-up of the NPFL status quo.

The duo is joined by Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors, NPFL veterans, who sealed their spots from the Northern zone.