As the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League nears its dramatic conclusion, Matchday 37 delivered defining moments across the table from champions crowned to heartbreak at the bottom. Here are the top five talking points:
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Remo Stars Coronated Champions
Remo Stars FC clinched the NPFL title in style with a commanding 4-1 win over Ikorodu City. The victory puts them at 71 points, a full 10 points clear of their nearest challengers, crowning them champions with a game to spare.
Their high-scoring, disciplined season has been capped off fittingly, affirming their dominance all year.
Sunshine Stars Confirmed Relegated
Sunshine Stars’ 2-1 home loss to Niger Tornadoes sealed their fate, with the Akure-based side officially relegated. Sitting on 41 points and in 19th place, they join Lobi Stars in the confirmed relegation zone.
It’s a stunning fall for a club that had previously battled mid-table but failed to find consistency when it mattered most.
Continental Slots Locked In
The battle for continental tickets is now settled, as Remo Stars defeated hard fighting Ikorodu City by 4-1 and Abia Warriors recorded a 2-1 victory over Katsina United while Rivers lost 3-1 to Kwara United.
Remo Stars will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, while Rivers United and Abia Warriors have sealed up the second and third respectively which guarantees continental football next season.
With Rivers United on 61 points and Abia Warriors on 60 points going into the final day, both teams will be locked in the fight for grab the second place which guarantees CAF Champions League ticket and the third place team will settle for CAF Confederation Cup.
Ikorodu City and Bendel Insurance, though level on 56 points, miss out on continental football due to inferior head-to-head and goal difference.
Survival Battle Goes to the Final Day
The relegation fight remains tight heading into the final matchday. Just two points separate El-Kanemi Warriors (16th, 46 pts), Heartland FC (17th, 45 pts), and Akwa United (18th, 44 pts).
Heartland’s 1-0 loss to Bendel Insurance and Akwa’s crucial win 2-0 over Bayelsa United mean that the last match of the season will determine who stays and who drops.
Expect fireworks in what promises to be a tense finale as any two of the Heartland, Akwa United as both teams will lock horn in Umuahia in the final battle of the season to determine who goes up or down.
Katsina United and Elkanemi Warriors will so need to get the job on the final day otherwise any one of the two might be relegated.
Anas Yusuf Closes in on Golden Boot
Nasarawa United Anas Yusuf netted again in their 3-2 defeat of Enyimba on Sunday making it his 18th goal of the season and practically sealing the Golden Boot.
With his consistent scoring form, Yusuf has been instrumental in Nasarawa United escaping relegation and is now the league’s top marksman heading into the final weekend leading the chasing pack with as much as four goals.
Matchday 37 provided high drama and emotional swings across the country.
With just one game left, all eyes will be on the final twists in what has been a thrilling NPFL season.
Matchday 37 Result
Matchday 37 Table
