NPFL week 28 recap: How teams in the local league performed

• NPFL Week 28 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 28 games
• TheRadar has compiled other match results from week 28 in the NPFL

The NPFL Match Week 28 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 28 results

Nasarawa United 1-1 Sunshine Stars

In a tense NPFL Matchday 28 clash, Nasarawa United and Sunshine Stars played out a 1-1 draw at the Lafia Township Stadium, a match held behind closed doors. Both teams had several scoring chances but ultimately shared the spoils in a result that did little to ease their relegation fears.

Nasarawa United struck early, with Idris Ajiya finding the net in the fifth minute to give the hosts an ideal start. However, Sunshine Stars responded in the 35th minute when Ahmadu Liman calmly slotted home the equaliser.

With both teams locked on 32 points, Nasarawa sat 17th and Sunshine Stars 18th, leaving them in serious danger of relegation as the season neared its climax.

Bendel Insurance 2-1 Remo Stars

Remo Stars' title ambitions took a dent as they fell 2-1 to a determined Bendel Insurance side in Benin. 

The hosts wasted no time asserting dominance, with Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi firing them ahead just two minutes into the contest. Despite efforts from the visitors to restore parity, Bendel Insurance remained solid and carried their lead into halftime.

Oritseweyinmi struck again 10 minutes after the restart, sealing his brace and putting the Benin Arsenal firmly in control. Though Samuel Anakwe pulled one back late for Remo Stars, it was merely a consolation as Insurance held on for their eighth consecutive home victory. 

While Bendel Insurance enjoyed a strong run, Remo Stars' inconsistency continued, with two wins and two losses in four matches.

Lobi Stars 0-1 Ikorodu City

Ikorodu City took a huge step toward securing a continental spot with a gritty 1-0 away victory over Lobi Stars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Saturday, March 8. The hard-fought win lifted them to third place in the Nigeria Premier Football League standings.

Shola Adelani emerged as the hero, striking in the 81st minute to seal Ikorodu City's 13th league victory of the season. The win proved crucial, allowing them to leapfrog Shooting Stars, who had suffered a 1-0 loss to Katsina United a day earlier.

It was only Ikorodu City’s second away win of the campaign, but it proved their determination to challenge for top spot, sitting 10 points behind leaders Remo Stars with 10 games left.

Heartland FC 1-1 Bayelsa United

Heartland FC and Bayelsa United played out a 1-1 draw in their NPFL clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday, March 9, with both sides failing to secure a much-needed victory.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Issa Yusuf found the net, but their lead was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Suraju Lawal struck for Heartland, leveling the score and ensuring the hosts avoided defeat.

Heartland remained 15th on the table with 34 points but extended their winless run to four matches. Bayelsa United, sitting just below them in 16th with the same points, also struggled for form, having won only once in their last five games.

Katsina United 1-0 Shooting Stars

Katsina United finally broke their winless streak with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Shooting Stars at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium on Friday, March 7. 

The match seemed destined for a goalless draw until Ahmad Taofeek struck deep into stoppage time, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The win ended Katsina United’s two-game losing run after setbacks against Rivers United and Akwa United. 

For Shooting Stars, it was another frustrating outing, as they extended their winless streak to five matches, with two losses and three draws. The defeat would for sure dent their form, leaving them desperate for a turnaround in upcoming fixtures.

Enugu Rangers 1-1 Akwa United

Enugu Rangers battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Akwa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, as their title defence faced another setback. 

The visitors stunned the home crowd in the 24th minute when Osoba Kabir capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire Akwa United into the lead. 

However, the Flying Antelopes responded just after halftime, with Isaac Saviour coolly converting a penalty in the 48th minute to level the score. Despite Rangers’ late pressure, they failed to find a winner. 

The result moved Rangers to fifth with 41 points, while Akwa United remained deep in relegation trouble.

Rivers United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes

Rivers United inched closer to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table with a narrow 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. 

Samson Obi delivered the decisive moment in the 83rd minute, securing three vital points for the Port Harcourt-based side. The win extended Rivers United’s unbeaten streak to four matches since their February 15 loss to Enyimba, with two wins and two draws in that run. 

Meanwhile, Niger Tornadoes struggled with consistency, suffering back-to-back defeats and managing just two wins in their last five outings. They remain in 11th place with 37 points.

Plateau United 1-0 Abia Warriors

Plateau United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors at the Jos International Stadium on Sunday, March 9, thanks to Olawale Donyeni’s 51st-minute penalty. 

The win ended a disappointing spell for Plateau United, who had suffered a setback against Remo Stars in their previous outing.

With this result, Plateau United recorded their third win in five matches, climbing to 14th place with 34 points. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors’ struggles continued, as they remain winless in their last three games.

Enyimba 1-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

Enyimba continued their fine form in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a gritty 1-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in Aba on Sunday, March 9. 

The crucial breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Joseph Atule, in red-hot form, slotted home the winner.

Atule, who had also netted the decisive goal against Niger Tornadoes the previous weekend, took his season tally to four. The victory extended Enyimba’s unbeaten streak to three matches and pushed them to eighth place with 41 points from 28 games. 

Meanwhile, El-Kanemi Warriors slipped to 10th, trailing Enyimba by just one point in the standings.

Kwara United 2-0 Kano Pillars

Kwara United put on a brilliant display on Sunday, March 9, securing a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Kano Pillars in an intense NPFL clash. 

The hosts took the lead in the 20th minute when Wasiu Alalade confidently slotted home a penalty after Abdul Raheem was fouled in the box.

Kano Pillars struggled to find a response, and their struggles continued early in the second half when substitute Wasiu Jimoh of Kwara United fired in a powerful strike to seal the win. 

With the victory, Kwara United climbed to 11th place with 39 points, while Kano Pillars remain sixth with 42 points from 28 games.

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.