The 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will be concluded on Sunday.
It has been a season filled with memorable moments, as several individuals carved out names for themselves, while some clubs turned difficult situations into remarkable success stories, and former champions struggled to make their mark. However, every good thing must come to an end, and so it is with this thrilling campaign.
Unlike last season, when Remo Stars became champions with three games to go, it has been a two-way battle between Rangers International and Rivers United for this season’s crown. Just a point separates the two sides going into the final match day, and it remains delicately poised. The Pride of Rivers were in the title race last season but lost out to Remo Stars, and they are in it again with Rangers, who last took the crown in 2024.
Meanwhile, Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City are locked in a CAF Confederation Cup spot battle. 3SC have not played on the continent in 27 years, while Ikorodu City, who missed out by just a point last term, are in the race once again.
3SC are off to Niger Tornadoes, who need a win to secure top-flight safety, while Rangers are guests of Ikorodu City in Lagos, making it the biggest game of the match day. Regardless of the results on Sunday, Rivers United and Rangers have booked their places in next season’s CAF Champions League.
It is expected that Rivers United will beat Katsina United easily in Port Harcourt, so the outcome of the game between Ikorodu City and Rangers in Lagos will determine who will be the champions.
Beyond the title race, attention is also on the battle for the league’s top scorer award, with several players still in contention. Veteran forward Godwin Obaje of Rangers International currently leads the chart with 14 goals, while Victor Mbaoma of Remo Stars, Joseph Arumala of Ikorodu City, and Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists are close behind on 13 goals each.
Several teams have already secured their status for the season and therefore have little left to play for. Clubs such as Nasarawa United, Bendel Insurance, Abia Warriors, and Katsina United fall into that category. However, they will face opponents still battling for survival or chasing objectives at the top end of the table.
Relegation permutations
Apart from the title race, this is also one of the biggest talking points of the final match day. Enyimba, who were champions back in 2023, and defending champions Remo Stars need crucial wins on Sunday to secure their place in the NPFL for another season. Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United have been relegated from the top flight, but they still have a role to play in what happens to some other teams.
The likes of Enyimba, Plateau United, Kun Khalifat, Warri Wolves, and Niger Tornadoes are all playing at home, while Kwara United, Kano Pillars, Elkanemi Warriors, and Remo Stars are all on the road, needing results to go their way if they all want to stay up.
Looking at the fixtures and the calibre of their opponents, I expect Kun Khalifat, Enyimba, Plateau United, and Warri Wolves to secure victories and confirm their safety. Those projected results would leave the fate of El-Kanemi Warriors and Kano Pillars hanging in the balance.
With the continental race still very much alive, Shooting Stars could prove too strong for Niger Tornadoes in Minna, while Remo Stars will be keen to capitalise when they face Bendel Insurance in their closed-door clash in Benin.
The permutations might look so straightforward to the eye, but this NPFL season has not been short of drama, and we might just be in for another one on Sunday.
