Nigeria Premier League
Heartland Relegated, Abia Warriors Secure Continental Spot
The 2024–25 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season came to a dramatic close on Sunday, with triumph, heartbreak, and final-day surprises unfolding across the country.
Champions Remo Stars had little to play for but pride and ended their title-winning campaign with a sobering 3-0 defeat away to Bayelsa United — their heaviest loss of the season.
However, the Sky Blues had already secured the league title with two matches to spare, making the defeat a mere blemish on an otherwise historic season.
Finidi George’s Rivers United sealed second place with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nasarawa United, ensuring their return to the CAF Champions League.
Goals from Muyiwa Fehintola and Aniekeme Okon were enough to see off the visitors and wrap up a successful campaign for the former league champions.
One of the most thrilling fixtures of the day took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, where Ikorodu City edged Abia Warriors 3-2 in an entertaining five-goal contest.
But despite the loss, it was Abia Warriors who had the last laugh, finishing third on the NPFL table with 60 points — just one more than fourth-placed Ikorodu City — and securing Nigeria’s first CAF Confederation Cup slot.
NPFL Final Day: Ex-Barcelona man sinks with Heartland as Abia Warriors edge Ikorodu City to continental spot
At the opposite end of the table, the final relegation place loomed ominously over four teams heading into the final day — Katsina United, El Kanemi Warriors, Niger Tornadoes, and Heartland FC.
In the end, it was Heartland, managed by former Barcelona and Nigeria international Emmanuel Amunike, who suffered the drop.
Despite recording a 2-1 victory over already-relegated Akwa United, Heartland were condemned to the drop after all three of their relegation rivals won.
Katsina United edged Kwara United 1-0, El Kanemi Warriors defeated Sunshine Stars by the same scoreline, and Niger Tornadoes produced one of the day’s most remarkable comebacks.
After falling behind to a fourth-minute strike from Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali, the Tornadoes rallied to a thrilling 3-2 victory that ensured their survival. Elsewhere, relegated Lobi Stars ended their underwhelming campaign with a 2-1 win over Bendel Insurance, while Shooting Stars romped to a 5-1 thrashing of arch-rivals Enugu Rangers — the biggest win of the final day.
The only away victory came at the Enyimba International Stadium, where 19-year-old Yusuf Abdullahi struck in the first half to give Plateau United a 1-0 win over former African champions Enyimba.
Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf finished as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals, followed by Rabiu Ali (13), while Shola Adelani of Ikorodu City and Sunday Megwo of Abia Warriors both netted 12 times.
Defensively, Rivers United ended the season with the meanest backline, conceding just 29 goals. In attack, NPFL debutants Ikorodu City were the most prolific, scoring 60 goals — 11 more than runners-up Remo Stars.
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Nigeria Premier League
Rangers Secure 2-0 Win Over Abia Warriors As NPFL Action Heats Up
Rangers International put on a show in Enugu on Wednesday, sealing a convincing 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday five encounter.
The Flying Antelopes got off to a bright start as Chigozie Iwundu struck in the 13th minute, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Just before the half-hour mark, Godwin Obaje doubled the lead, showcasing his fine form with two goals in his last two matches.
The win catapulted Rangers into fifth place on the NPFL table with 11 points from seven games, keeping them within touching distance of the top four. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors, despite the loss, remain in fourth place with 12 points from the same number of matches.
Elsewhere at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday six fixture. Club legend Rabiu Ali rolled back the years, scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute to give Pillars a much-needed victory.
With the NPFL season still taking shape, fans can expect more drama, goals, and big performances as the race for the top intensifies.
At Sports Market International, we continue to bring you the best coverage, analysis, and insights from the world of football and beyond. Stay tuned — the NPFL is only just getting started!
Local News
Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Hails Players After 2-1 Victory At Bayelsa United
Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Has Praised His Players For Their Impressive Performance Following A Hard-Fought 2-1 Away Victory Against Bayelsa United In The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Solid Miners Showed Resilience At The Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, On Sunday, Rallying From A Goal Down To Secure Their First Away Win Of The 2024/25 NPFL Season.
How The Game Unfolded
Bayelsa United Took The Lead In The 36th Minute Through Jawad Mustapha, Putting The Hosts In Control. However, Nasarawa United Responded Bravely, With Ekeson Okorie Restoring Parity Just Before Half-Time.
Substitute Victor Onovuke Then Delivered The Decisive Moment In The 89th Minute, Scoring The Winning Goal To Hand Nasarawa United A Memorable Victory On The Road.
Mangut Talks Up Massive Win
Speaking After The Match, Coach Mbwas Mangut Highlighted The Determination And Discipline Of His Team Despite Difficult Playing Conditions.
“It Was A Very Tight Game Based On The Condition Of The Field As It Was Water-Logged Due To A Heavy Downpour,” Mangut Told The Club’s Media.
“We Conceded Through An Error, But We Played Our Way Back And Got What We Worked For. After Losing Their Last Home Game, Bayelsa United Were More Under Pressure In Today’s Game. So, We Came With A Game Plan To Frustrate Them The More, And It Worked For Us.
“I Give Credit To My Boys For Being Able To Get The Job Done, Without Sounding Disrespectful To The Bayelsa United’s Side, Because They Gave Their All, But Unfortunately Couldn’t Get Any Positive Result.”
What The Result Means
The Win Marks A Significant Step Forward For Nasarawa United In Their NPFL Campaign. Securing An Away Victory Against A Tough Opponent Like Bayelsa United Underscores Their Ambition To Climb Higher Up The Table And Compete With The League’s Best.
Sports Market International Continues To Deliver The Best Sport Blog Content Across The World, Highlighting NPFL Action, Tactical Insights, And Inspirational Stories That Shape The Sports Market.
Local News
Rivers United Offer Free Jerseys And Free Admission Ahead Of NPFL Clash With Shooting Stars
Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George’s Rivers United Are Raising The Stakes Ahead Of Their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Clash With Shooting Stars By Offering Fans Free Replica Jerseys And Free Admission To The Match. The Rivers State Outfit Will Host Ibadan Warriors At Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium On Sunday, In One Of The Biggest Fixtures Of Week Four.
Both Teams Are Eager For A Win After Dropping Points Last Weekend. Rivers United Settled For A Goalless Draw With El-Kanemi Warriors, While Shooting Stars Were Held By Nemesis Ikorodu City In Ibadan.
To Ignite Fan Support And Boost Their Chances, Rivers United Announced On Social Media A Special Giveaway:
“FREE Replica Jerseys For FANS! Gate Fee: FREE! Don’t Miss Out! Show Your Team Pride & Join Us For An Electrifying Match.”
This Bold Move Highlights The Pride Of Rivers’ Determination To Secure All Three Points In This Crucial Encounter As Finidi Looks To Challenge For The NPFL Title Again.
The History Between The Two Clubs Adds Extra Spice To The Fixture. Rivers Have Claimed Four Wins In The Last Eight Meetings, While Shooting Stars Have Three. Notably, In Their Last Four Meetings In Port Harcourt, Rivers United Have Been Dominant With Four Clean-Sheet Victories, Including A 2-0 Win In Shooting Stars’ Last Visit.
Finidi George’s Rivers United Will Be Hoping To Rely On The Unwavering Support Of Their Energised Home Crowd, Boosted By The Free Jersey Offer, To Continue Their Strong Home Form And Shoot Down Oluyole Warriors This Weekend.
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