NPFL Matchday 32 Highlights: Title Race Heats Up, Relegation Battles & Key Results

NPFL 2024/2025 Matchday 32: Five Biggest Talking Points as Title, Continental and Relegation Battles Intensify.

Matchday 32 of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season brought another thrilling round of action, drama, and decisive moments across various match centers. As the season edges closer to its climax, the stakes are getting higher, with the title race tightening, the battle for continental qualification spots heating up, and the relegation zone becoming even more volatile.

Here are the top five major talking points from NPFL Matchday 32:

1. Rivers United Reignite Title Race with Narrow Victory Over Remo Stars

One of the standout fixtures of Matchday 32 was the high-stakes clash between Rivers United and current league leaders Remo Stars. The Port Harcourt-based side came out on top with a hard-fought 1-0 victory, courtesy of an 84th-minute goal from David Sholunmade.

The result not only snapped Remo Stars’ momentum but also closed the gap at the top of the NPFL table to just five points. While Remo Stars still have a game in hand — a midweek encounter against Lobi Stars — the pressure is clearly mounting. With Rivers United and Remo Stars having six and seven games left respectively, the title race is far from over. A single misstep could prove fatal in the quest for the NPFL crown.

2. South West Derby Stalemate: Ikorodu City Hold Shooting Stars in Ibadan

The highly anticipated South West Derby between Shooting Stars SC and Ikorodu City ended in a tense goalless draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. Despite both sides creating scoring opportunities, the match failed to produce a breakthrough goal.

For Shooting Stars, the result is a major setback in their pursuit of continental football. The fans voiced their frustration after the final whistle, especially with the team now slipping in the race for third place. However, for Ikorodu City — making their debut in the NPFL — the away point was a massive result. The draw keeps their dream of qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup alive and adds another chapter to their fairytale campaign.

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3. Continental Race Blows Wide Open

While Remo Stars and Rivers United continue to solidify their grip on the top two positions, the chase for the final continental qualification slot is turning into a five-horse race.

Enyimba International made a huge statement by defeating local rivals Abia Warriors 2-1 in the fierce Aba Derby. The victory was not only a morale booster but also a significant blow to Abia Warriors’ hopes of maintaining a top-three position.

Here’s the updated standings in the race for third place:

• 3rd: Abia Warriors – 50 points

• 4th: Shooting Stars – 50 points (lower goal difference)

• 5th: Rangers International – 48 points

• 6th: Ikorodu City – 46 points (with a game in hand)

Only one of these teams will secure that coveted third-place finish, making the remaining fixtures a must-watch as they fight tooth and nail for continental glory.

4. Relegation Zone Sees Crucial Shakeups

At the opposite end of the table, the relegation fight became even more intense. Heartland FC gave their survival hopes a major boost with a 2-0 victory over Kano Pillars. The win, which ended their winless streak, sees them move to 38 points — still in the danger zone, but now with renewed momentum.

Nasarawa United also grabbed a lifeline by defeating Akwa United 2-0 at the Lafia Township Stadium. Goals from Leonard Ugochukwu and Abubakar Garba secured the much-needed three points, lifting Nasarawa to 16th on the NPFL table with 39 points.

Akwa United, despite recent improvements, were dragged back into relegation danger following the defeat. Every point now matters more than ever as the bottom-half teams continue to scrap for survival.

5. Lobi Stars End Losing Run, But Remain Bottom

Lobi Stars finally managed to halt their five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu — their temporary home ground. Sunshine Stars took an early lead through Ahmadu Liman in the 9th minute, but Lobi Stars responded early in the second half thanks to Atule’s equalizer.

The draw does little to help either team, though. Sunshine Stars remain dangerously close to the drop in 19th place, while Lobi Stars are still rooted to the bottom with just 24 points from 31 games — 11 points adrift of safety.

Key Midweek Fixtures to Watch

As the NPFL calendar intensifies, attention now shifts to two key outstanding matches this week, both of which could significantly reshape the title and relegation battles:

• Wednesday: Ikorodu City vs Katsina United (Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos)

• Thursday: Remo Stars vs Lobi Stars (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu)

Fans and stakeholders will be keeping a close eye on these matchups as the NPFL 2024/2025 season hurtles toward an unpredictable and thrilling conclusion.

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Matchday 32 Full Results Summary:

• Enyimba 2–1 Abia Warriors

• Katsina United 1–1 Bayelsa United

• Lobi Stars 1–1 Sunshine Stars

• Nasarawa United 2–0 Akwa United

• Niger Tornadoes 2–0 El Kanemi Warriors

• Plateau United 0–0 Kwara United

• Rivers United 1–0 Remo Stars

• Shooting Stars 0–0 Ikorodu City

Stay tuned for more NPFL updates, match previews, and post-match reactions as the race for the title, continental qualification, and relegation survival reaches its boiling point.