Remo Stars were in celebratory mood on Sunday as the newly crowned Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions treated their home fans to a resounding 4-1 victory over regional rivals Ikorodu City on Matchday 37.
With the title already secured two rounds earlier on Matchday 35, the encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne served as a triumphant showcase for the champions in front of an elated home crowd.
The visitors briefly threatened to spoil the party when Tosin Oyedokun gave Ikorodu City a surprise lead in the 16th minute. But Sikiru Alimi, Ibrahim Shuaibu, Babatunde Bello, and Olamilekan Adedayo struck to complete a comeback worthy of champions.
Remo stars crowned champions of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football leave (NPFL). Photo Credit: X
Elsewhere, the battle for continental qualification remains finely poised heading into the final round. Rivers United, despite suffering a 3-1 defeat away to Kwara United in Ilorin, currently sit second with 61 points—but their place in the CAF Champions League is not yet secure.
A sluggish first half saw Adeshina Gata put Kwara in front, before a second-half brace from Wasiu Alalade gave the hosts a 3-0 advantage. Ubong Friday pulled one back for Rivers from the spot, but it proved little consolation.
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Abia Warriors kept the pressure on with a spirited 2-1 comeback win over El-Kanemi Warriors in Umuahia. After falling behind to a first-half strike from Ismail Mukhar, the home side turned the match around through goals from Emmanuel Ogbuagu and Adejoh Ojonugwa, climbing to 60 points—just one behind Rivers United.
With one round remaining, both sides are assured of a continental berth, but it is still unclear who will clinch the more prestigious CAF Champions League spot and who will settle for the CAF Confederation Cup.
In the relegation zone, Sunshine Stars were officially demoted following a painful 2-1 loss at home to Niger Tornadoes. After cancelling out Ismael Saraki’s opener with a strike from Ahmadu Liman, Sunshine’s survival hopes were dashed by a late winner from Daniel Akanbek.
Though no longer in the title mix, Rangers International delighted fans with a 4-0 demolition of Katsina United. A first-half brace from Godwin Obaje, a strike from Isaac Saviour, and a late goal from teenage sensation Chimobi Igwilo secured the rout in Enugu.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa United edged Enyimba 3-2 in one of the weekend’s most entertaining fixtures. Goals from Shina Kumater, Anas Yusuf (penalty), and Idris Ajiya ensured the hosts came out on top, despite Enyimba pulling two back through an own goal and Ekene Awazie’s penalty.
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In Uyo, Akwa United kept their slim survival hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Bayelsa United, thanks to an Endurance Ebedebiri penalty and a late strike from Kabir Osoba.
The victory moves the Promise Keepers to 44 points in 17th place, setting up a dramatic final-day showdown away to Heartland, who sit just above them in 18th on 45 points following a 1-0 defeat to Bendel Insurance—courtesy of a second-half goal from Chinedu Onyejiekwe.
Despite the head-to-head clash potentially deciding one survival spot, both clubs could still face relegation depending on other results. Should Katsina United defeat Kwara United and El-Kanemi Warriors secure three points against already-relegated Sunshine Stars, either Akwa or Heartland—or even both—could still be condemned to the drop.
