The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered another weekend filled with tension, excitement, and high-stakes drama as Matchday 32 wrapped up across various centers.
From a narrowing title race to desperate battles at the bottom of the table, here are the five biggest talking points from the weekend’s action.
Rivers United Close the Gap on Remo Stars
Rivers United reignited the title race with a crucial 1-0 victory over Remo Stars in Port Harcourt.
David Sholunmade’s 84th-minute goal proved decisive, cutting Remo’s lead at the top to just five points.
Although Remo Stars have a game in hand, a midweek clash against Lobi Stars, the pressure is mounting.
With six and seven matches left respectively for the two contenders, any slip could dramatically shift the championship momentum.
Ikorodu City Frustrate Shooting Stars in Derby Draw
The much-anticipated South West Derby between Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City FC ended in a goalless stalemate at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. The tension on the pitch spilled over to the stands, with some home fans reportedly venting their frustration after the final whistle.
For Shooting Stars, the draw is a setback in their pursuit of continental football. On the other hand, Ikorodu City secured a valuable away point—one that could prove crucial in their historic bid to earn a continental slot in their debut top-flight season.
Continental Race Wide Open
Apart from Remo Stars and Rivers United who look likely to occupy the top two spots, the battle for the final continental ticket remains fierce.
Enyimba claimed bragging rights and vital points with a 2-1 win over Abia Warriors in the Aba Derby. The result dealt a blow to Abia Warriors’ top-three ambitions and brought the chasing pack even closer.
Here’s how the race for third looks after Matchday 32:
3rd: Abia Warriors – 50 pts
4th: Shooting Stars – 50 pts (inferior goal difference)
5th: Rangers – 48 pts
6th: Ikorodu City – 46 pts (with a game in hand)
Only one of these teams will secure the final continental spot by Matchday 38. Expect fireworks in the coming weeks.
Relegation Battle Reaches Fever Pitch
Heartland FC gave themselves a lifeline by defeating Kano Pillars 2-0, ending a frustrating winless streak. With 38 points, they are now top of the relegation zone which is still far from being safe.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa United edged past Akwa United 2-0 in Lafia, climbing to 16th place with 39 points. Leonard Ugochukwu and Abubakar Garba scored in each half to secure a vital win.
The result dragged Akwa United back into the danger zone after briefly climbing out with their previous win in Ilorin.
Lobi Stars, Drag Down Sunshine Stars in Enugu
Lobi Stars snapped a five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars at their adopted home ground in Enugu. Sunshine went ahead through Ahmadu Liman in the 9th minute, but Atule equalized early in the second half.
The result is damaging for Sunshine Stars, who remain 19th on the table and desperately in need of wins. Lobi Stars, still rooted to the bottom with 24 points from 31 games, are now 11 points behind Sunshine Stars.
Midweek Fixtures to Watch
The NPFL action continues midweek with two key outstanding fixtures:
Wednesday: Ikorodu City vs Katsina United (Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos)
Thursday: Remo Stars vs Lobi Stars (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu)
These matches could reshape both ends of the table and are must-watch for fans.
Matchday 32 Results at a Glance
Enyimba 2–1 Abia Warriors
Katsina United 1–1 Bayelsa United
Lobi Stars 1–1 Sunshine Stars
Nasarawa United 2–0 Akwa United
Niger Tornadoes 2–0 El Kanemi Warriors
Plateau United 0–0 Kwara United
Rivers United 1–0 Remo Stars
Shooting Stars 0–0 Ikorodu City
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