It was yet another interesting weekend in the 2025-26 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Ikorodu City, Kano Pillars, and Shooting Stars got some fine results, while there were complications for Remo Stars, Kwara United and Enyimba.
In terms of the standout performers, Godwin Obaje and Joseph Arumala were on the scoresheet again for their respective teams.
Well, here is a look at the three main talking points from another eventful weekend in the NPFL.
Champions are sinking
Defending champions of the NPFL, Remo Stars, failed to win again at the weekend. This time, they faced Abia Warriors at the Akure Township Stadium – their fifth different home ground this season. Well, they continued their winless run since match day 20 by playing out a 1-1 draw.
The Ikenne side remain banished from home, and will still host Katsina United and Nasarawa United in Akure before returning home.
Another champion struggling is Kwara United – the winners of the Federation Cup in 2025. The Harmony boys surrendered a lead in the dying moments of the game against relegation battlers Kano Pillars in Ilorin. Although they have an outstanding game against Rivers United on Wednesday, the Ilorin side have been struggling on all fronts, with reports suggesting that the current head coach, Ashifat Suleiman, could be shown the exit door.
In Aba, it seems the off-field crisis at Enyimba has affected performances as they fell 1-0 to Ikorodu City on Sunday. One of the season’s outstanding players – Joseph Arumala – scored the winning goal for the Oga Boys, who maintained their spot at the summit of the league.
Baggio’s masterclass
After the ruling from the league body on the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Shooting Stars of Ibadan adopted the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta as their temporary home ground.
Up against Warri Wolves after a disappointing defeat to Kun Khalifat, Ayobami Junior, widely known as Baggio, took the game by its neck to steer Nurudeen Aweroro’s side back to winning ways.
Having gone behind early one, Ayobami and Shooting Stars rallied to secure a 4-2 win. The former Kwara United midfielder created three goals to secure the comeback win.
The Oracle isn’t invincible afterall
Since taking over at the start of the second stanza, Gbenga Ogunbote “the Oracle” has kept Plateau United on an unbeaten run.
The peace boys, who finished January without a loss, were beaten for the first time under the former Shooting Stars handler on Sunday.
