Sunshine Stars relegated
Remo Stars have been officially crowned winners of the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season thus becoming the 21st club to claim the top division diadem.
Their 4-1 victory over of Ikorodu City in front of their delirious home fans in Ikenne yesterday meant that the three clubs to represent Nigeria in the CAF Inter club competitions have now been decided with Rivers United and Abia Warriors joining the Sky Blue Stars as the three clubs to hoist the nation’s flag on the continent.
Yesterday’s coronation of the Champions was witnessed by stakeholders including President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) , Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau who first presented the NPFL Trophy to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for onwards delivery to the Ikenne-based side with club owner, Honourable Kunle Soname , beaming with broad smiles over his side’s accomplishment.
Remo Stars duly won the NPFL title yesterday in front of their fans and top dignitaries at their Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne..
Daniel Ogunmodede’s side did so in magnificent fashion annihilating Ikorodu City 4-1. Tosin Oyedokun had shot the Oga Boys ahead after 16 minutes but Sikiru Alimi equalised for the Sky Blue Stars in the 38th minute before goals from Ibrahim Shuiabu, Babatunde Bello and Olamilekan Adedayo added gloss to the result.
Remo Stars improved their points haul to 71 but Ikorodu City remained on 56 points and cannot finish above fourth spot in their debut season.
Elsewhere, Sunshine Stars for the first time since 2007, are returning to the lower league following their home loss to Niger Tornadoes in Ijebu Ode while Rangers (52 points), Nasarawa United (52 points), Plateau United (51 points), Bendel Insurance (56 points), Kano Pillars (53 points) and Kwara United (50 points) all secured important home wins to book their spots in the topflight next season.
Abia Warriors fought back from a goal down to beat El Kanemi Warriors and thus sealed their CAF inter club ticket with 60 points. They have a four point gap between them and Ikorodu City whom they face next on May 25th on the League’s final day.
Akwa United beat Bayelsa United 2-0 in Uyo through Endurance Ebedebiri and Kabir Osoba to move to 44 points. They are still 18th with 44 points and must target a win in Owerri against Heartland while praying that they get favourable results in other centres. It will be a tall order for all these variables to happen.
In Ilorin Kwara United thrashed Rivers United 3-1 to boost their survival chances with 50 points but Rivers United are still second in the table with 61 points.
In Ijebu Ode, Sunshine Stars ended their 18 years Association with the topflight after they were relegated following their 2-1 home loss to Niger Tornadoes.
Read Also: President Federation Cup: NFF dismisses Bayelsa United protest on Nasarawa United
In Enugu, Rangers International FC returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion pummelling Katsina United 4-0 with Godwin Obaje scoring twice to hit 11 goals this season. The deposed champions are eighth with 52 points while Katsina United are 15th with 47 points.
Ahmed Musa celebrated his return to the Super Eagles with two goals for Kano Pillars in the tie they won 3-1 against Shooting Stars to move to the seventh spot with 53 points.
In Benin, Heartland squandered several scoring chances before losing 1-0 to Bendel Insurance. The win lifted Insurance to the fifth spot with 56 points but the Naze Millionaires have been dumped back to the relegation zone in 17th spot with 45 points. They must beat Akwa United in Owerri and pray that results from Maiduguri and Katsina must be favourable.
It was a five goal thriller in Lafia between Nasarawa United and Enyimba with league top scorer, Anas Yusuf was also on the score sheet for his 18th goal of the season. The Solid Miners are ninth with 52 points while the People’s Elephant are sixth with 55 points.
Plateau United also beat Lobi Stars 2-1 to move to the 10th spot with 51 points.