Sunshine Stars and Akwa United are now in the relegation zone after match-day 36 of the 2024–2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, making it more difficult to avoid relegation as the season draws to a close.
It was a difficult NPFL game for Sunshine Stars, who lost to Shooting Stars 1-0 in Ibadan.
Coach Abubakar Bala’s team fought hard, holding their opponents to a goalless draw until Ikouwem Utin’s vital penalty kick in the 88th minute.
The Stars, who now sit in 19th position on the NPFL table with 41 points, had a difficult game.
On Sunday, they will play the crucial matchup against the Niger Tornadoes, another relegation challenger, at the Akure Township stadium.
Given that the two teams are separated by just four points, this game will be crucial to both teams’ attempts to stay in the league.
In Minna, the Niger Tornadoes were able to draw 1-1 with the Abia Warriors.
Emmanuel Iwu equalized Mohammed Hussaini’s first goal in the 50th minute late in the game, giving the Warriors a point and preserving the Tornadoes’ hopes of playing in the tournament.
A 1-0 loss to Bendel Insurance at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Edo state dealt a blow to Akwa United.
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The game-changing goal from Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi in the 55th minute gave Benin Arsenal a much-needed win and made it more difficult for Akwa United to avoid relegation, as they suffered their 17th loss of the year.
El Kanemi Warriors unexpectedly lost to newly crowned champions Remo Stars 2-0 in Maiduguri in other games.
With a late goal in the first half from Samson Obi, Rivers United narrowly defeated Rangers International of Enugu in an entertaining, well-publicized match.
When Ikorodu City played Bayelsa United in Lagos on Wednesday night, it was a happy occasion. In the NPFL match, the Lagos-based team prevailed 3-2, moving Ikorodu City up to fourth place in the league standings.
