Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists have been relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following their defeats in their respective match day 37 games on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The two clubs, who have been locked in the bottom four for most of the second stanza of the 2025/26 season, were officially relegated from the top flight after defeats in Ikenne and Bauchi on a tense Sunday across the NPFL.
Having lost to Rangers at home last weekend, Bayelsa United needed to beat Remo Stars in Ikenne to stand a chance of beating the drop, and they went in front early on through Ofem Nneoyi in the fifth minute. But the home side, who were also in the survival race, rallied back to snatch all three points through goals from Alex Oyowah and Victor Mbaoma, who netted his 13th league goal of the campaign.
In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists fell 3-2 at the hands of title-chasing Rivers United at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium. Jonathan Mairiga opened the scoring to put the homers in front before Handsome Surveyor equalised for the visitors. Just after the break, Imama Bala restored the lead for Wikki, only for Finidi George’s men to get back on level terms again and eventually snatch the win late in the game.
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Title Race goes to the wire
The destination for this season’s NPFL title remains undecided as Rangers and Rivers United secured crucial wins on Sunday. Rangers, playing at the Cathedral, faced a continental ticket-chasing Bendel Insurance, and they did just enough to take all three points in a 2-1 win. Godwin Obaje struck a brace to steer the league leaders to victory.
Coupled with Rivers United’s win at Wikki, Rangers retained top spot with 65 points, while the Pride of Rivers are just one point off them going into the final day. Rangers head to Lagos to face Ikorodu City, while Rivers United will be at home to play against Katsina United.
Meanwhile, both teams have secured their places in next season’s CAF Champions League as Nigeria’s representatives.
Shooting Stars, Ikorodu City in battle for third spot (CAF Confederation Cup)
Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City are both gunning for the remaining continental slot – the CAF Confederation Cup – following their respective results on Sunday. Shooting Stars edged Barau 1-0 in a difficult fixture in front of a packed Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. Emmanuel Lucky’s first-half goal decided the contest.
Meanwhile, Ikorodu City were thumped 4-1 in Katsina by Katsina United. Jamilu Yusuf scored twice for the hosts, plus another goal from Azeez Falolu. Ikorodu City pulled one back, but Daniel Agara was on hand to restore the home side’s three-goal lead and secure the victory.
Lifeline for Kun Khalifat, Enyimba ahead of the final day
Kun Khalifat gave their survival hopes a huge boost by beating Abia Warriors 2-0 in Aba. First-half brace from Uchechukwu Onuoha handed the Pride of Imo all three points at the Enyimba Stadium. They will now need to beat already relegated Wikki Tourists to stay up in the NPFL.
Despite the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kwara United, Enyimba still have their fate in their hands when they host Elkanemi Warriors, who surprisingly drew goalless with Niger Tornadoes in Maiduguri.
Meanwhile, Rabiu Ali’s penalty was all Kano Pillars needed to beat Warri Wolves in Kano. Jofrank Istifanus scored the only goal to hand Nasarawa United all three points against Plateau United in Lafia.
The 2025/2026 NPFL final day will be staged on Sunday, May 24.
