**Matchday 23 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) witnessed several enthralling encounters, marked by a resurgence of form for certain teams and a deepening struggle for others. Rivers United, under the tutelage of former international Finidi George, finally broke their five-game winless streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Lobi Stars. Timothy Zechariah’s late header in the 88th minute provided the much-needed relief for Rivers United, injecting a renewed sense of hope into their title aspirations. The win propelled them to third place on the league table, albeit still ten points adrift of leaders Remo Stars.
Akwa United, the 2021 champions, also experienced a return to winning ways, edging past visiting Enyimba FC with a 2-1 scoreline. Goals from Ogunleye Olayemi and Uche Sabastine secured the crucial victory for the Promise Keepers, who had endured a four-game winless run prior to this encounter. Despite the win, Akwa United remained precariously positioned in the relegation zone, highlighting the intensity of the battle for survival in the NPFL.
Abia Warriors delivered a commanding performance against Sunshine Stars, securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory. An own goal from Chidozie Iwundu set the stage for Abia Warriors’ dominance, further solidified by goals from Antoine Ijoma and Samuel Ogunjimi. The win propelled Abia Warriors to fourth place on the league table, while consigning Sunshine Stars to the relegation zone, intensifying their fight for survival.
Newly promoted Ikorodu City FC orchestrated a thrilling comeback against Kwara United, triumphing 2-1 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Despite conceding an early goal to Junior Aimufua, Ikorodu City displayed resilience, equalizing through Toyeeb Ajeyigbe just minutes later. Shola Adelani, proving to be a key figure for Ikorodu City, headed home the winning goal in the 64th minute, securing a vital victory for the newcomers.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Plateau United played out a 1-1 draw, while defending champions Rangers International were held to a goalless stalemate by Bayelsa United. These results further underscore the competitive nature of the NPFL, with each matchday presenting unpredictable outcomes and shifting dynamics.
The NPFL continues to unfold with captivating storylines, as teams jostle for positions on the league table, vying for title contention, continental qualification, and survival. The competition promises to deliver further excitement and drama in the upcoming matchdays, with the fate of several teams hanging in the balance. The fight for supremacy, survival, and mid-table respectability guarantees a thrilling race to the finish line.
