By IBRAHIM T LOT
The 2025/26 season of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) has flown by with lots of drama, officiating analyses, and the surprise decline of big teams.
With two games left, more than eight teams remain locked in a relegation battle.
All the incidents have resulted in a mouth-watering final lap of the season, with intensity at fever pitch on both ends of the table.
Two more rounds of matches to go, and the league could still be won by four teams, while only three points separate eight teams battling for survival.
The race for continental tickets also remains just as intense, with teams poised to pounce on each other’s slip-ups.
Title race finely poised between top contenders
Technically, the title race seems like a two-team battle between Enugu Rangers and Rivers United, with the first side to falter likely to lose the league.
However, dark horses Ikorodu City and Abia Warriors remain lurking in close distance, meaning any slip at the top could swing the title race in their favour.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Rangers are top of the table with just one point ahead of Rivers United. The Flying Antelopes face an uphill task with their final two matches away against relegation-battling Bayelsa United and Ikorodu City, who also have continental ambitions.
Rangers’ away form complicates their title chase further, having managed just two away wins all season. In fact, Rangers scored their last away goals in January.
Rivers United sit second with slightly better fixtures, with one home and one away game left.
In an NPFL season that has largely favoured teams with strong home records, Rivers United under Finidi George remain strong contenders in the run-in.
Ikorodu City could crown their fairytale season with continental qualification, with Abia Warriors also in strong contention. However, both could still be overtaken by chasing teams such as Shooting Stars, Nasarawa United and Bendel Insurance in the race for continental slots.
Relegation battle, big clubs in danger, confirmed drop-outs
At the other end of the table, defending champions Remo Stars lead a list of big teams battling relegation, alongside Enyimba and Kwara United.
Several factors contributed to Remo Stars’ decline from grace to grass in under a year, including stadium troubles and closure, player exodus, and coach uncertainty, which led to a 15-week stay in the relegation zone.
They are not out of the woods yet, and it remains unclear if the Kunle Soname-owned club will beat the drop. Only goal difference currently keeps Remo out of the relegation zone, and they must travel to Benin to face Bendel Insurance on Sunday.
The four relegation slots are currently occupied by Warri Wolves, Bayelsa United, Kun Khalifat and Wikki Tourists. Only three points separate them from 13th-placed Enyimba, meaning more drama is expected in the final two games.
Wikki Tourists have already been relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) following their defeat to Rivers United.
Bayelsa United will also compete in the NNL next season after going down 2–1 to Remo Stars in Ikenne.
The league season also saw intense competition early on, with Bayelsa United leading the table after matchday two with six points, followed closely by newly promoted Warri Wolves.
It also saw the promotion of Barau FC, Wikki Tourists, Warri Wolves and Kun Khalifat, with the season defined by high-scoring drama and a tight race across the table.
Early in the season, Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves set the pace. As of May 10, 2026, teams such as Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Enyimba FC and Kun Khalifat were battling in mid-to-high table positions.
Fan violence, sanctions, NPFL integrity measures
During the 2025/26 NPFL season, several clubs faced severe disciplinary actions, including banishment from home venues or orders to play behind closed doors due to fan violence and security breaches.
Katsina United FC were banished to Jos, Plateau State, and fined ₦9 million following crowd violence and attacks on players during their Matchday 12 clash with Barau FC.
Remo Stars FC were banished to Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan for their remaining home games and fined ₦7 million following violence during their match against Ikorodu City.
Kano Pillars FC were banished from Kano for the remainder of the season following a ₦9.5 million fine and three-point deduction due to violence against Shooting Stars SC.
Wikki Tourists FC were also banished to Jos and fined ₦7.5 million following a violent match against Katsina United that included pitch invasions.
Enyimba FC were ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors and fined ₦5 million after fans detained match officials.
Final fixtures, NPFL directive on simultaneous kick-off
To preserve integrity and avoid controversy, league organisers warned clubs against violating fixture directives for the final two matchdays, stressing that any breach could attract severe sanctions, including points and goals deductions.
The league body insisted that all fixtures must be played simultaneously to ensure fairness across the competition.
In a directive issued by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, clubs were reminded that all remaining matches have been fixed for the same date and kick-off time.
Sunday’s Matchday 37 fixtures, all scheduled for simultaneous kick-off, will see Abia Warriors host Kun Khalifat, while El-Kanemi Warriors face Niger Tornadoes.
Kano Pillars will take on Warri Wolves, while Katsina United host Ikorodu City. Kwara United will welcome Enyimba, Nasarawa United host Plateau United, and Enugu Rangers play Bendel Insurance.
Defending champions Remo Stars will battle relegation rivals Bayelsa United in Ikenne, Shooting Stars host Barau, while Wikki Tourists entertain Rivers United.
All matches are scheduled to kick off simultaneously at 4pm as the season enters a dramatic conclusion.
The 2025/26 NPFL season concludes on Sunday, May 24, 2026. As is standard for the final day, all 10 matches will kick off simultaneously to ensure fairness and to complete the season ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup call-up period.