Sports

Analysis of the 2024/25 NPFL Table (Match Day 22)

Published

10 months ago

February 5, 2025

Patrick Ngwaogu (Odogwu)

The 2024/25 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table after Match Day 22 reveals a competitive title race, a congested mid-table, and an intense relegation battle. Below is a breakdown of the key trends from the standings.

🏆 Title Race: Remo Stars in Control

1.  Remo Stars FC lead the table with 45 points from 22 games, boasting 14 wins, the highest in the league.
2.  Shooting Stars SC sit second with 37 points from 21 games, meaning they have a game in hand that could close the gap.
3.  Rivers United FC (35 points) and Rangers International FC (34 points) remain in contention, but their inconsistent results (only 9 wins each) suggest they will need strong finishes.

🚀 Key Insight: Remo Stars’ defensive solidity (only 16 goals conceded) and best goal difference (+14) make them the current favorites for the title.

⚖️ Mid-Table Battle: Competitive and Unpredictable

•   Teams from 5th place (Abia Warriors, 33 points) to 14th place (Katsina United, 26 points) are separated by just 7 points.
•   Clubs like El-Kanemi Warriors (32 points) and Enyimba FC (31 points) could still push for continental spots if they gain momentum.
•   Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United (29 & 28 points respectively) are sitting in the middle of the pack but could easily be dragged into the relegation fight if results don’t improve.

⚠️ Key Concern: Mid-table teams must be wary of inconsistency, as a few bad results could put them in relegation danger.

🌍 Continental Qualification Spots

•   The top two teams qualify for the CAF Champions League (CAFCL), while the third-place team enters the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC).
•   Rivers United (3rd) and Rangers (4th) are currently in the best position to battle for continental spots.
•   Ikorodu City FC (7th, 31 points) and Niger Tornadoes (9th, 31 points) remain dark horses for a top-three finish.

🌟 Key Contenders: Rangers International and Rivers United must improve their consistency to ensure a top-three finish.

⚠️ Relegation Battle: 6 Teams in Trouble

The bottom of the table is highly competitive, with at least six teams in danger of relegation:

1.  Bendel Insurance (25 points)
2.  Plateau United (24 points)
3.  Sunshine Stars (24 points)
4.  Nasarawa United (22 points)
5.  Lobi Stars (21 points)
6.  Akwa United (20 points, bottom place)

📉 Key Observations:

•   Nasarawa United, Plateau United, and Bendel Insurance have had 3 points and 3 goals deducted due to league violations, which has severely impacted their standings.
•   Akwa United (20 points, -8 GD) has the worst goal difference and could face serious relegation trouble unless they turn things around.

🔥 Key Battle: Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United, and Akwa United must fight hard to escape the drop zone in the remaining matches.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Remo Stars are strong favorites for the title.
✅ Shooting Stars have a game in hand, making the top-two battle interesting.
✅ Mid-table is highly competitive, with several teams still in contention for continental football.
✅ Relegation battle is wide open, with six teams fighting to survive.

🚨 What to Watch For Next: Will Shooting Stars close the gap? Can Rivers United push for a top-two finish? Who will survive the relegation scrap? The remaining fixtures will be crucial in shaping the NPFL season’s outcome.

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Sports

NFF President, Lulu, Ogunnowo Receive Gwagwalada Football Merit Award

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

The Gleamer

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, former NFF President, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, and the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigerian Nationwide League, Olushola Ogunnowo, have been nominated for the prestigious Gwagwalada Football League Merit Award for their outstanding contributions to grassroots football development in Nigeria.

The announcement was made in Gwagwalada, Abuja, by the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Gwagwalada Football League, Patrick Ngwaogu. He said the trio was carefully selected based on merit and their long-standing impact on the growth and promotion of grassroots football across the country.

According to Ngwaogu, the awards will be presented on Sunday, 14 December 2025, during the grand finale of the 20th edition of the Gwagwalada Football League. He explained that this year’s ceremony carries special significance, as it marks two decades since the league kicked off in 2005 with just 10 participating teams—now expanded to 26 teams drawn from Gwagwalada and surrounding communities.

“We painstakingly selected the three individuals based on their personal contributions to the development of football at the grassroots level,” Ngwaogu said. “These awards are our own way of commemorating the 20-year journey of the Gwagwalada Football League.”

Meanwhile, preparations are in top gear for the highly anticipated final match, which will see Ejiwumi FC lock horns with Sheikhandam FC. Ejiwumi FC booked their place in the final after edging out Medical Strikers Feeders with a lone goal, while Sheikhandam FC advanced with an emphatic 3–1 victory over NIMMA FC.

The championship decider and award ceremony will take place at the Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada, where players, supporters, and football stakeholders are expected to gather for what promises to be a memorable celebration of grassroots football excellence.

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