In what will go down in history as one of the most competitive and unpredictable season, the 2025/26 season of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), will climax this Sunday.
Unlike in previous season, when most teams already know their fates even before the final day, only few clubs are left with nothing but pride to fight for on the last day of the season
As the 20 teams file out for the final battle, only the like of Nasarawa United, Bendel Insurance, Abia Warriors and probably Barau FC are sure of safety, while the duo of Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists have had their demotion tickets sealed.
To round off the season will be a dogged fight for the league title, the third continental ticket and the battle to survive the drop.
Battle For The Trophy
This is straight battle between current league leaders, Rangers International of Enugu and Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt.
Both sides have had to battle their way to this stage, having shrugged off the initial pressure from the like of Ikorodu City and Nasarawa United, who at some points during the season were also in the run for the title.
Going into the last day, the Flying Antelopes sit atop with 65 points and a massive plus 19 goals advantage, while Rivers United are placed second with 64 points and plus ten goal difference.
From the look of things, none of the two teams can boast of winning until the final whistle on Sunday.
The pendulum of victory could swing to Rivers United who will enjoy the luxury of apart from playing at home, face Katsina United, who have nothing but only pride at stake.
While Rivers will be doing their job at their slaughter slab, the Adokiye Amiesiemaka Stadium, against a side that is not under any pressure, Rangers will have a more daunting tasking before then as they play away to Ikorodu City, whose hope of sealing a continental ticket depends first on this gam, then another toe elsewhere.
A win for the George Finidi tutored Rivers United coach, will see them end the season with 67 points, enough to win the title except if the Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored Rangers beat Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
For Rivers United, based on their home record and the importance of the maximum points from this encounter, victory, according to bookmakers, is sure.
The Pride of Rivers, will however, need to wait for the result from Lagos before they can celebrate as bookmakers are of the opinion that Rangers have what it takes to beat Ikorodu City in Lagos, and if this happens, the anticipated victory of Rivers United over Katsina United will be inconsequential, as a win for Rangers will bring their total point haul to 65.
However, Rangers can still go ahead to win the title even with a loss to Ikorodu City, only if Katsina United frustrate Rivers United by either beating them outright or hold them to a draw, which is most unlikely though, although nothing is impossible in football.
For the records, Rangers are gunning for their ninth league title, having g previously won in 1974, 1775, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016 and 2024.
Rivers United on the other hand, are eyeing their fifth after winning it in 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2022.
No matter the outcvome of the last day drama, both sides have secured their places as Nigeria’s flagbearers in the CAF Champions League.
Shooting Stars, Ikorodu City In Final Day War For Continental Ticket
Just as it is a two horse race for the league trophy between Rangers International and Rivers United, it is the same scenario for the league’s last slot for continental duty.
Shooting Stars Sports Club and Ikorodu City, interestingly South West neighbours are in the running to finish in the third position, which will secure a place for a contest in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Going into the final day fixtures, Shooting Stars are on the third position with 60 points, while Ikorodu City occupy the forth position with 58 points.
Shooting Stars are heading for Minna, for a mother of all battle against relegation threatened Niger Tornadoes, who must win at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, to survive drop, as anything less will confirm their demotion.
The hope of Shooting Stars remain in either they pick at least a point in Minna or pray that Rangers deny Ikorodu City of the maximum points, even if they (Shooting Stars) fall to Tornadoes.
Victory for the Ibadan based side will neutralise the victory of Ikorodu City ( If they beat Rangers).
A win for Shooting Stars will increase their points to 63, abd that makes it unassailable even with an Ikorodu City win over the Flying Antelopes.
On their side, Ikorodu City must beat title chasing Rangers, while hoping for a Niger Tornadoes win over Shooting Stars. This will push them up to the third with 61 points, one point above Shooting Stars, assuming Niger Tornadoes win in Minna.
The die is therefore cast for a heartbreaking climax as the two Southwest brothers battle for the league’s last continental slot.
One thing is sure;. While the South South and the South East have sealed the two CAF Champions League tickets from the league, the only CAF Confederation Cup ticket is coming to the Southwest.
Eight teams in race against relegation
While the battle for the diadem is between Rangers International and Rivers United, and the fight for the final continental slots is between Shooting Stars and Ikorodu City, eight clubs still stand the danger of being relegated from the topflight, depending on the outcome of today’s final fixtures .
Kano Pillars, Plateau United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Enyimba, Remo Stars, Niger Tornadoes Kwara United and Warri Wolves all need favourable results to escape joining the duo of Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United, who have already been confirmed for demotion to the lower cadre
