Nigeria's NPFL ended the year on a busy note with all teams involved during the final week of 2024. The competition remains fierce for dominance with Remo Stars ending the calendar year as league leaders with a slim margin of two points separating the Ogun State club from nearest competitors Rivers United.
A late match winner from Raymond Tochukwu gave Remo Stars a winning conclusion to the year with a 2-1 result over Akwa United at home. After the teams exchanged goals in the first half, the hosts applied sustained pressure until a moment of brilliance in the 81st minute saw Tochukwu's curling free kick beat Akwa United goalkeeper Darlington Ovunda.
Remo Stars moved back top at the expense of Rivers who escaped with a point at home against scrappy visitors Plateau United. Rivers salvaged a 1-1 draw courtesy of an equalizing goal deep into second half stoppage time.
The most in form club at the moment in Nigeria's top division is Shooting Stars who secured a fifth consecutive victory at home, winning 1-0 against Kwara United. It was another free kick that made the difference when Mustapha Adam's effort deflected in off the wall in first half stoppage time. The club based in Ibadan now sit in third place and have not conceded a goal since late November.
El Kanemi Warriors, Ikorodu City and Rangers International were all winners as well to retain their positions in the top-6. For CAF Confederation Cup participants Enyimba, who recently dismissed coach Yemi Olarenwaju, their scoring issues continued in a 0-0 result against visiting Bendel Insurance on Tuesday. The Peoples' Elephant have not won a match since late October and have not scored in a league match since mid-November, something they hope to remedy after announcing the signing of former Nigeria national team forward Brown Ideye.
Results
Bayelsa United 0-1 Abia Warriors
Niger Tornadoes 0-1 Rangers International
El Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Kano Pillars
Ikorodu City 2-1 Sunshine Stars
Katsina United 1-0 Nasarawa
Lobi Stars 0-0 Heartland
Shooting Stars 1-0 Kwara United
Remo Stars 2-1 Akwa United
Rivers United 1-1 Plateau United
Enyimba 0-0 Bendel Insurance
League Table (Top-5)
Games Played | Points | |
| 19 | 36 |
| 19 | 34 |
| 19 | 33 |
| 19 | 31 |
| 19 | 29 |
Comments