The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL Matchday 28 threw some interesting outcomes and we present to you the summary therein in this week’s edition of five things to know in the NPFL.
Ikorodu City Mounts Continental Challenge
Ikorodu City FC are having a historic first season in the NPFL.
A 1-0 win away to Lobi Stars kept all doubters mute over the continental ambition of the team.
The win shoot the Lagos Islanders to number three on the log, leapfrogging Shootings Stars in number three as the Oluyole Warriors fell to a 90+7 minute goal against Katsina United.
With Ikorodu City’s FC consistency and just ten games to go, they are in a good position to finish among the top three teams which guarantee continental football in the 2025/2026 season.
Having gathered Forty four points in twenty eight games, the remaining ten games will test their resolve to go for it as it’s a battle for the new comer and the league super powers and former winners like Shooting Stars, Rivers United l, Enyimba and Rangers International.
Hot Chase For Continental Spot
The conclusion of Matchday 28 in the NPFL blew up the race for continental slots.
Apart from Remo Stars who are eight points clear, which perhaps has foreclosed the discussion of the which team will win the league.
With just four points separating number 3 and 9, there are plenty to play for as far finishing on the second and third position which guarantee a continental spot at the end of the season is concerned.
It’s a struggle for the two places for Rivers United, Ikorodu City FC, Shooting Stars, Rangers International, Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Abia Warriors and Elkanemi in the order respectively and the coming days will filled with drama as the these teams go all out for points in the remaining games.
Rivers United Cut Down Remo Stars’ Gap
Remo Stars failed on the road to Bendel Insurance while Rivers United won at home against Niger Tornadoes.
These results ensured that Rivers United managed to cut down the wide gap between them and leaders, Remo Stars.
It’s now eight points between the two front runners in the title race.
While it’s Remo Stars race to lose, they may still need to mind Rivers United at their rear and combine the duties with concentration on their results and keep their focus of winning the league.
They need to win seven out of the remaining ten games to win the league irrepective of results elsewhere, that’s really a handful as Remo Stars chase the history in the league as the first privately owned club to win the league in recent years.
Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi’s Brace Down Remo Stars
Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi was the star of matchday 28 in the league.
His brace shoots down high flying Remo Stars on Saturday afternoon at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin as Remo Stars succumbed to Meyinwa’s firepower in the 2nd and 55th minute before Samuel Anakwe pulled one back for the Ikenne Sky Blues in the 82nd minute which was too late, too little to mount a comeback.
Meyinwa joins the lists of players with a brace this season.
Magical Salisu Yusuf
Coach Salisu Yusuf of Nasarawa United is showing why he was hired to rescue the Lafia Miners from the rubbles of relegation.
Nasarawa United are unbeaten in the last five matches while Coach Salisu oversaw four of the matches conjuring a win and three draws, a total of six points in the last four matches.
The former Super Eagles has restore some confidence in the team, and the believe of escaping relgation is gradually returning to the Lafia camp.
Nasarawa United are now on 32 points on the 17 position, just two points behind Bayelsa United and Heartland who are both on 34 points.
The good thing is that Bayelsa United and Heartland have recorded less points and more losses in the last five matches compared to Nasarawa United.
Will Salisu completes his magical works on Nasarawa United and pull the team out of the relegation, the remaining days in the NPFL will be an interesting one in the relegation zone of the NPFL as team battles for points to retain their NPFL status.
Match Day 28 NPFL Full Results At A Glance
Katsina United 1-0 Shooting Stars
Rivers United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Bendel Insurance 2-1 Remo Stars
Lobi Stars 0-1 Ikorodu City
Plateau United 1-0 Abia Warriors
Kwara United 2-0 Kano Pillars
Nasarawa United 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Enyimba FC 1-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
Rangers International 1-1 Akwa United
Heartland 1-1 Bayelsa United.
