The Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL is hitting peak drama — and the title race just got a major shakeup. On a high-stakes Sunday evening in Port Harcourt, Rivers United edged league leaders Remo Stars 1-0, closing the gap to just five points and throwing the race wide open.
A bullet header in the 84th minute from David Sholumade — a mid-season signing with ice in his veins — was the difference. Sholumade latched onto a dreamy lofted cross from Taiwo Andulrafiu, another ex-Sunshine Stars stalwart, and sent the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium into a frenzy.
Finidi George’s men had been patient, waiting for their moment. After a tense opening half with near misses and heroic goal-line clearances from Remo’s ThankGod Ikeagwu and Anthony Ebuka, the breakthrough came late — but came with purpose. Remo Stars, managed by Daniel Ogunmodede, still hold a game in hand but now sit nervously on top with 60 points, just five ahead of Rivers United, who are breathing down their necks on 55.
Finidi George — once praying for a Remo slip — just got his wish.
Derbies, Drama, and Desperation Across the League
In Aba, Enyimba finally snapped a four-game winless run, pulling off a 2-1 comeback win in the Oriental Derby against Abia Warriors. Ijoma Desouza stunned the People’s Elephant early, but Kalu Nweke’s curler and Joseph Atule’s strike in the 66th minute sealed a massive morale-boosting victory. Enyimba climb to 8th with 46 points.
Meanwhile, tension boiled over in Ibadan as Ikorodu City held Shooting Stars to a goalless draw, a result that literally held players hostage. Furious fans, unhappy with the home side’s performance, reportedly surrounded and detained the Ikorodu squad post-match. Yes — held hostage. NPFL is giving Netflix-worthy chaos!
In Lafia, Nasarawa United boosted survival hopes with a solid 2-0 win over relegation rivals Akwa United, while Niger Tornadoes outclassed El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0, thanks to goals from Mohammed Hussaini and Ahmed Family.
Bottom Battle: Still No Light for Lobi
The relegation zone remains a swamp of stress. Lobi Stars, stuck on 24 points from 31 games, failed to rise again, drawing 1-1 with Sunshine Stars, who sit just one spot above them but have 11 more points and a game in hand. It’s looking grim in Enugu for the struggling side.
Plateau United and Kwara United played out a 0-0 draw in Jos — a match short on thrills, long on frustration.
FULL RESULTS – NPFL Matchday Madness
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Rivers United 1-0 Remo Stars
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Enyimba 2-1 Abia Warriors
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Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Akwa Utd
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Tornadoes 2-0 El Kanemi
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Lobi 1-1 Sunshine Stars
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Plateau Utd 0-0 Kwara Utd
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Shooting Stars 0-0 Ikorodu City
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Katsina Utd 1-1 Bayelsa United
🔥 What’s Next?
With Remo Stars wobbling, Rivers United rising, and fan pressure boiling over — this NPFL season is set to explode. All eyes are now on that game in hand and how Ogunmodede’s Remo react under pressure.
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