The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title race took a dramatic turn on match-day 33 as both leading contenders, Remo Stars and Rivers United, faltered in their respective matches. This stumble leaves the title race wide open, with seven points separating the two teams and just five games remaining. The highly anticipated match-day held the promise of a potential shift in the standings, but both teams failed to capitalize on the opportunity to gain ground, leaving fans and pundits alike on the edge of their seats as the season approaches its climax.
Rivers United, trailing Remo Stars by six points before the match-day, travelled to Umuahia to face Abia Warriors, a team vying for a continental ticket. In a surprising upset, Abia Warriors delivered a commanding 2-0 victory, further solidifying their own position in the league table. Emmanuel Ogbuagu opened the scoring for Abia Warriors just before halftime, giving his team a crucial advantage going into the break. Antoine Ijoma sealed the victory with a second goal in the 76th minute, dashing Rivers United’s hopes of closing the gap on Remo Stars. This victory marked Abia Warriors’ 16th win of the season, propelling them to within two points of the second spot and one point clear of the chasing pack for the third continental spot.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars, playing at home in Ikenne against a struggling Katsina United, could only manage a goalless draw. Katsina United, reeling from a 6-0 thrashing by Ikorodu City in the previous midweek fixture and the subsequent sacking of their management team, entered the match against Remo Stars with a renewed determination to avoid another embarrassing defeat. Despite Remo Stars’ dominance, Katsina United’s defense held firm, frustrating the league leaders and preventing them from extending their lead at the top of the table. This unexpected draw provided a glimmer of hope for other teams vying for the title, setting the stage for a thrilling finish to the season.
In another match-day 33 encounter, Ikorodu City continued their impressive form with a resounding 3-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Ayomide Cole, coming off the bench in the second half, scored a brace, raising his season tally to 10 goals. Shola Adelani also found the back of the net, scoring his 11th goal of the campaign. This convincing win propelled Ikorodu City to fourth place in the table with 52 points, just one point behind the CAF Confederation Cup spot. Bendel Insurance, another team in contention for a continental spot, also remain in the hunt with 49 points after 33 games.
The implications of these results on the NPFL title race are significant. Remo Stars, despite the draw, maintain their lead at the top of the table, but their failure to secure three points allows other teams to remain within striking distance. Rivers United’s loss, coupled with Remo Stars’ draw, means the gap between the two leading contenders remains at seven points with five games to go. This sets up a potentially thrilling finale to the season, with every match carrying immense weight in determining the eventual champion.
The fight for continental spots is equally intense, with Abia Warriors, Ikorodu City, and Bendel Insurance all vying for a place in next season’s CAF competitions. Abia Warriors’ victory over Rivers United strengthens their position, while Ikorodu City’s impressive form and Bendel Insurance’s consistent performance keep them firmly in the race. With five games remaining, the competition for these coveted continental spots promises to be as captivating as the battle for the league title. The remaining matches will be crucial in determining the final standings, and fans can anticipate a dramatic conclusion to the NPFL season.
