The 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) moved into a decisive stretch on Matchday 25, serving up a blend of title-chasing encounters, relegation dogfights and continental qualification battles across the country.
The weekend action kicked off on Saturday in Benin, where Bendel Insurance delivered a commanding 2–0 victory over Enyimba at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The result further compounded Enyimba’s troubled campaign, handing the People’s Elephant their 10th loss in 25 matches and underlining a season far removed from their usual title-chasing standards.
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Revitalised under coach Kennedy Boboye, the Benin Arsenal continued their impressive resurgence, extending their strong home run and boosting their push up the table.
Insurance now sit sixth with 37 points from 25 matches, just four points off the top three, while Enyimba remain stuck in 12th place on 31 points.
For the Aba giants, the defeat added to a worrying slide that has seen them manage just one win in their last six outings.
Attention now turns to Sunday, when eight fixtures are set to further shape the destiny of clubs at both ends of the table.
Sunday Showdowns:
Title and Survival at Stake
Sunday’s line-up promises fireworks, particularly in the title race. League leaders Rivers United, on 41 points, were initially billed to host Barau FC, but that encounter has been postponed, handing their closest challengers a chance to close the gap.
Second-placed Nasarawa United (40 points) will aim to pile pressure on the leaders when they welcome Bayelsa United, while third-placed Rangers International (39 points) face a stern test away to Abia Warriors, who are level on 38 points and firmly in the title conversation.
In Lagos, surprise package Ikorodu City host Niger Tornadoes as both sides chase a place in the top six.
Elsewhere, Shooting Stars (3SC) travel to face Kun Khalifat FC, who are locked in a fierce battle to steer clear of the relegation zone.
Relegation Dogfights
The battle for survival is just as intense. Kano Pillars, recently docked three points and three goals, face Remo Stars in a crunch encounter between two sides hovering perilously close to the drop. With little separating them, victory could prove decisive in the race to stay up.
Elsewhere, Wikki Tourist take on Katsina United, Warri Wolves host El-Kanemi Warriors, and Plateau United face Kwara United in matches that could significantly reshape the relegation picture.
Matchday 25 Fixtures
Saturday
Bendel Insurance 2–0 Enyimba
Sunday, February 8:
Kano Pillars vs Remo Stars
Abia Warriors vs Rangers International
Plateau United vs Kwara United
Ikorodu City vs Niger Tornadoes
Wikki Tourist vs Katsina United
Warri Wolves vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Kun Khalifat FC vs Shooting Stars
Nasarawa United vs Bayelsa United
With the title race tightening and the relegation battle reaching boiling point, NPFL Matchday 25 promises drama, pressure and pivotal moments that could define the course of the season.
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