- NPFL Week 20 saw intense action, with teams battling it out for crucial points that impacted their standings
- Remo Stars maintain their position in the NPFL standings topping the table after 20 games
- TheRadar has compiled other match results from week 20 in the NPFL
The NPFL Match Week 20 didn’t disappoint, serving up thrilling victories, surprising comebacks, and key performances that reshaped the league standings. Here’s a rundown of the most captivating games from last weekend:
NPFL matchweek 20 results
Sunshine Stars 4-3 Ikorodu City
Sunshine Stars of Akure began the second half of the season with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Ikorodu City FC in a match filled with excitement and drama. The hosts dominated the first half, racing to a 3-1 lead.
Linman Ahmadu opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a delightful lob after a brilliant team move. Four minutes later, Promise Awosanmi doubled the lead, capitalising on a rebound. Alao Danlami added a third, tapping in Ogechukwu Ogbu’s perfect cross.
Ikorodu City’s Shola Adelani pulled one back just before halftime, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. In the second half, Ikorodu City fought back valiantly, scoring twice to level the contest.
However, Danlami struck again to seal the win for Sunshine Stars, ensuring they kicked off the second half of the season in style.
Heartland Owerri 1-0 Lobi Stars
Heartland FC earned a crucial 1-0 victory against relegation-threatened Lobi Stars on Sunday, January 26, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, ending their five-game winless run in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when John Bassey found the back of the net, securing Heartland’s first home win of the second round. The “Naze Millionaires,” previously struggling with two losses and two draws, climbed to 11th on the table with 25 points.
For Lobi Stars, the loss deepened their relegation troubles. With just one win in their last five matches, coupled with three defeats and a draw, the Makurdi-based side remains 18th with 20 points, desperately fighting for survival.
Enugu Rangers 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
Niger Tornadoes secured a vital 2-1 victory over Enugu Rangers in their NPFL clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Saturday, January 25, with Ifeanyi Okechukwu delivering a stunning match-winner.
Tornadoes took an early lead in the 17th minute through Ismail Sarki, who calmly converted from close range. Rangers responded swiftly, with Chinemerem Ugwueze finding the back of the net to level the score before halftime.
The decisive moment came in the 64th minute when Tornadoes orchestrated a brilliant four-pass team move, culminating in Okechukwu's thunderous shot into the top corner. Rangers had a golden opportunity to salvage a point after being awarded a penalty for a foul on Effimi Nsi, but Chiedozie Okorie's spot-kick rattled the crossbar.
The defeat marked Rangers’ second consecutive home loss, keeping them in fourth place with 31 points, while Tornadoes climbed into the top half, ending a seven-match road drought.
Plateau United 2-1 Rivers United
Plateau United clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Rivers United in Jos, reigniting their campaign.
Olawale Doyeni put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute, setting the tone for an intense clash. Rivers United clawed back with an 87th-minute equaliser from Ndifreke Effiong Udo, raising hopes of salvaging a point.
However, Emmanuel Ihezuo shattered those hopes in stoppage time, netting the decisive goal to secure Plateau United’s first win in three games. The victory lifted them to 15th place with 23 points, while Rivers United extended their winless run to three matches, following back-to-back draws.
Plateau's spirited performance provides a crucial boost as Rivers struggles to regain form in the title race.
Nasarawa United 1-0 Katsina United
Nasarawa United ended their four-match winless streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Katsina United at the Lafia Township Stadium on Saturday, January 26. Qamar Adegoke’s decisive goal secured the hosts’ first win after two defeats and a draw in their previous outings.
Despite the triumph, Nasarawa United remain rooted to the bottom of the table in 20th place with 19 points, while Katsina United, who failed to capitalise on their opportunities, hold 14th position with 23 points. The result offered a glimmer of hope for Nasarawa United in their battle for survival.
Akwa United 1-2 Remo Stars
Remo Stars continued their title charge with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Akwa United struck early through Uche Sebastine’s sixth-minute goal, but the visitors turned the game around in the second half. Samuel Anaekwe levelled in the 74th minute, and Adedayo Olamilekan sealed victory with a clinical finish 10 minutes later.
The win moved Remo Stars to 39 points from 20 games, extending their lead atop the table to five points ahead of Rivers United, who lost to Plateau United.
Meanwhile, Akwa United’s woes deepened as they slipped to 19th place with 19 points, struggling to escape relegation after their 11th defeat of the season and another home disappointment.
Abia Warriors 1-0 Bayelsa United
Abia Warriors secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United on Saturday, January 25, thanks to a stunning early strike by Sunday Megwo at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Umuahia-born forward wasted no time, firing home from outside the box in the fourth minute to notch his seventh goal in 15 league appearances this season under coach Imama Amapakabo. His form has been instrumental in Abia Warriors' resurgence.
The win propelled Abia Warriors to fifth place in the NPFL standings with 30 points, showcasing their recent dominance with four wins in their last five games. Meanwhile, Bayelsa United slipped to 12th, stuck on 24 points after suffering their third consecutive defeat.
With Megwo continuing to shine, Abia Warriors appear poised for a strong finish in the league, leaving Bayelsa United scrambling for solutions.
NPFL Spotlight: Rangers FC secures sponsorship deal worth 200 million naira
Previously, TheRadar reported that Enugu Rangers, the reigning NPFL champions, set a new standard in sponsorship deals with a groundbreaking agreement for their sleeve sponsorship ahead of the 2024/2025 season.
The deal, valued at an impressive N100,000,000 per season over the next two years, represented a substantial investment in the club’s future ambitions, particularly as they prepared to compete in the CAF Champions League.
