Matchday 25 of the 2024/2025 NPFL season brings intriguing results as teams fought to advance their lot on the log
Beyond the scoreline, we bring you the intrigues and drama that made the NPFL tick on Matchday 25, enjoy the top five things in the league on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Remo Stars Shines Brightly, Break Away From The Chasing Pack
Remo Stars shone like a million Stars on Thursday after disuniting Kwara United in Ikenne.
The Ikenne sky blue boys took advantage of Shooting Stars and Rivers United who dropped valuable points a day earlier.
Two goals from Samuel Anakwe and Hadi Haruna in the last 10 minutes of the encounter ensured that Remo Stars became the first team to cross the 50th points mark this season to open up a 10 points gap ahead of Shooting Stars who are on 41 points who are second on the log.
With 13 matches to go, Remo Stars are in the pole position to win the league shield for the first time in their history, having came second in the last two seasons to confirm their consistency over the last four seasons in the league.
Nasarawa United, Lobi Stars Ride On New Coaches’ Bounce
Nasarawa United FC and Lobi Stars changed their coach after Matchday 24 and the new coach bounce worked in their favour.
Daniel Amokachi resigned at Lobi Stars while Kabiru Dogo was relieved at Nasarawa United to pave the way for Sam Addingi as their interim head coach.
Former Salisu Yusuf also took charge of his first game, on Matchday 25 as Nasarawa United FC was forced with to a 2-2 draw by Bayelsa United in Yenogoa.
Lobi Stars also picked a 1-1 draw away from home, as Sunshine Stars failed to capilise on early lead with interim coach Addingi walked away with a point, though Lobi Stars are still languishing at the bottom of the log with 23 points, one point behind Nasarawa United on number 19 on the log.
Eric Chelle Witness Ikorodu City FC Dismantle Plateau United In Lagos
Super Eagles new coach, Eric Sekou Chelle was in Lagos on Wednesday to witness Ikorodu City dismantled Plateau United FC in Lagos.
Ikorodu City continued their fine form at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena with a comeback 2-1 over Plateau United.
The result pushed up the Lagos Cityzens a notch higher on the log, with 38 points on fifth position.
The team can now aspire to grab one of the continental spot in the league as Rivers United sat on the last qualifying spot position with 39 points.
A rare moment for the twenty two players on the pitch to impress the new gaffer of the Super Eagles as the French Malian continue to monitor players that can help him prosecute the upcoming must win 2030 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda next month, will he invite any of the players on parade ? Time will tell the story more as the deadline for the release of players name for the all important match draw near.
Finidi George, Amuneke Fails To Keep Early Lead
Matchday 25 wasn’t a particularly great Matchday for former Super Eagles wingers, as Rivers United and Heartland failed to keep early lead on the road.
Rivers United were pecked back in Uyo, as the Akwa United came back to pull a 1-1 draw.
While Finidi George continue to struggle for points, the 1-1 draw is another set back for River United as they are now 11 points behind run away leader, Remo Stars.
Meanwhile, it was worse for Heartland FC and Emmanuel Amuneke as they threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Niger Tornadoes.
Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke were once a subject of rivalry for the Super Eagles job, which Finidi George later appointed but his reign ended abruptly after two matches and the two of them took their coaching to the NPFL with Rivers United and Heartland FC respectively.
Ajiya, Martins, Sirmangande Double Stir Up The Golden Race
Ossy Martins, Terdo Shimangade, and Idris Ajiya all scored a brace on Matchday 25.
Ossy Martins stepped up was a torn in the flesh for Shooting Stars, after he scored the two goals that ensured Shooting Stars failed to pick maximum points at the Adamasigba Stadium on Wednesday.
Ossy Martins now has 10 goals this season, just three goals behind Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United who has 13 goals to lead the chart after 25 matches in the league.
However, Martins Ossy was sent off in the 70th minute but he has done the damage before the he left the pitch for early showers.
For Terdo Shimangade, his brace ensured Niger Tornadoes came back from a goal down to defeat Heartland FC by 2-1, while Idris Ajiya stepped up for Nasarawa United after the league leading goal scorer, Anas Yusuf, who missed the match due to accumulation of cards .
Idris Ajiya’s two goals ensured that Nasarawa United were forced to a 2-2 as the Lafia boys continue to chase that help escape relegation.
All The Matchday 25 Results At A Glance
Elkanemi 0- 0 Bendel Insurance
Shooting Stars 2- 2 Lobi Stars
Ikorodu City FC 2- 1 Plateau United
Abia Warriors 1- 0 Rangers International
Bayelsa United 2- 2 Nasarawa United
Niger Tornadoes 2- 1 Heartland
Akwa United 1- 1 Rivers United
Sunshine Stars 1- Kano Pillars 1
Katsina United 2 -1 Enyimba
Remo Stars 2-0 Kwara United
