A Battle at Both Ends as NPFL Heads Into Home Stretch

By Kunle Solaja The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is hurtling towards a dramatic finish, with fierce battles unfolding simultaneously at the top and bottom of the table as Matchday 33 delivered twists that have tightened the race on both fronts. From Ikenne to Lafia and Ozoro, the weekend results have ensured that neither the […]

Sports Apr 6, 2026 0 5 Add to Reading List

A Battle at Both Ends as NPFL Heads Into Home Stretch

By Kunle Solaja

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is hurtling towards a dramatic finish, with fierce battles unfolding simultaneously at the top and bottom of the table as Matchday 33 delivered twists that have tightened the race on both fronts.

From Ikenne to Lafia and Ozoro, the weekend results have ensured that neither the title contenders nor the relegation-threatened sides can afford a moment’s slip in what promises to be a pulsating run-in.

Title Race Tightens

At the summit, Enugu Rangers reclaimed top spot, though only on goal difference, after being held to a goalless draw at home by Barau FC. The result took Rangers to 55 points, the same tally as Rivers United, but with a superior goal difference.

Rivers United, however, suffered a significant setback in Ozoro, falling 2-0 to Warri Wolves. The defeat could prove costly in a title race where every point now carries enormous weight. Goals from Igbunu Evwierhurhoma and Othuke Egbo handed Wolves a crucial victory while halting Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage.

Just behind the leading duo, Ikorodu City remain firmly in contention with 52 points and a game in hand. At the same time, Nasarawa United’s surprise home defeat to bottom-placed Kun Khalifat has dented their title aspirations. Shooting Stars, who also lost over the weekend, remain on 50 points but are now under pressure from teams below.

Abia Warriors, with 49 points and an outstanding fixture, are also quietly lurking within striking distance, underlining just how congested the upper half of the table has become.

Ikenne Revival Sparks Relegation Fight

While the title race grabs headlines, the relegation battle is equally gripping—and perhaps even more unpredictable.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars secured a vital 1-0 victory over regional rivals Shooting Stars in a tense South-West derby. Samuel Anakwe’s early second-half strike proved decisive, lifting Remo Stars to 40 points and providing a crucial lifeline in their fight for survival.

The win sees Remo Stars inch further away from immediate danger, but they remain deep in the relegation mix, where only a handful of points separate several teams.

Kwara United boosted their survival hopes with an emphatic 3-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors, moving to 39 points despite an earlier points deduction. Meanwhile, Kano Pillars’ resounding 4-0 win against Bendel Insurance has also strengthened their position, though they continue to feel the impact of disciplinary sanctions.

Bottom Club Sends Shockwaves

Perhaps the most dramatic result of the round came in Lafia, where bottom-placed Kun Khalifat stunned Nasarawa United with a 1-0 away victory—remarkably the only away win of the matchday.

Stanley Otu’s stoppage-time strike not only handed Kun Khalifat a rare triumph but also reignited their survival hopes. With 36 points, they remain at the foot of the table but have demonstrated that they are far from resigned to relegation.

Above them, Wikki Tourists (37 points) and Kwara United (39 points) are also locked in a desperate struggle to avoid the drop. At the same time, Bayelsa United, Enyimba, and Remo Stars are not yet safe in a tightly packed lower half.

Mid-Table Congestion Adds Intrigue

The middle of the table offers no comfort either. Teams such as Warri Wolves, Barau FC, Plateau United, and El-Kanemi Warriors are all clustered around the 43-point mark, meaning a short winning run could propel any of them into continental contention—or drag them into the relegation dogfight.

Warri Wolves’ victory over Rivers United may well be one of the defining results of the season, as it not only disrupted the title race but also boosted their own standing to ninth place.

Crucial Fixtures Ahead

Attention now turns to the outstanding fixtures scheduled for Monday, where Abia Warriors host Bayelsa United, while Plateau United face Ikorodu City. Both matches carry significant implications at both ends of the table.

For Ikorodu City, victory would take them level with the leaders, further intensifying the title race. For Bayelsa United and Plateau United, the stakes are equally high in their quest to steer clear of relegation trouble.

A Season on a Knife Edge

With five rounds of matches remaining for most teams, the NPFL is delicately poised for a thrilling climax. The battle for the title is as fierce as the fight for survival, with fine margins likely to determine who celebrates and who suffers heartbreak.

From the top where Rangers and Rivers United are locked on points, to the bottom where Kun Khalifat have refused to surrender, the 2025/2026 NPFL season is shaping up as a compelling contest of resilience, nerve, and consistency.

As the league heads into its final stretch, one thing is certain: every goal, every point, and every decision will matter.

The Current NPFL Table

	Club	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Rangers International FC	33	15	10	8	39	24	15	55
2	Rivers United FC	33	15	10	8	33	27	6	55
3	Ikorodu City FC	32	14	10	8	33	26	7	52
4	Nasarawa United FC	33	14	8	11	31	27	4	50
5	Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC)	33	15	5	13	35	36	-1	50
6.	Abia Warriors	32	14	7	11	27	25	2	49
7	Bendel Insurance FC	33	11	13	9	38	34	4	46
8	Katsina United FC	33	12	10	11	29	29	0	46
9	Warri Wolves	33	11	10	12	33	33	0	43
10	Barau FC	33	10	13	10	25	26	-1	43
11	Plateau United FC	32	13	4	15	33	35	-2	43
12	El-Kanemi Warriors FC	33	12	7	14	28	38	-10	43
13	Niger Tornadoes FC	33	12	6	15	34	31	3	42
14	Kano Pillars (-3pts, -3 goals)	33	13	6	14	30	32	-2	42
15	Enyimba FC	33	10	10	13	35	37	-2	40
16	Bayelsa United FC	32	10	10	12	30	33	-3	40
17	Remo Stars FC	33	12	4	17	34	41	-7	40
18	Kwara United (-3pts, -3 goals)	33	11	9	13	26	29	-3	39
19	Wikki Tourists FC	33	8	13	12	30	37	-7	37
20	Kun Khalifat FC	33	9	9	15	31	40	-9	36