The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is in full swing, with the campaign now entering Matchweek 34.
As the title race intensifies, clubs across the country are battling for supremacy, European qualification spots, and survival in the top flight.
Remo Stars remain in pursuit of their first-ever NPFL title but face stiff competition from defending champions Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, and a resurgent Shooting Stars. Meanwhile, newly promoted sides are fighting to secure their status in the league, adding further intrigue to the season’s final stretch.
With fierce rivalries producing dramatic encounters and emerging talents continuing to make their mark, fans can expect a thrilling run-in to the business end of the season across Nigeria’s most iconic stadiums.
When did the NPFL season start?
The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2024/25 season officially kicked off on Saturday, 31 August, with defending champions Enugu Rangers beginning their title defence against El Kanemi Warriors in a goalless stalemate at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
However, the rest of the first round of fixtures kicked off on Sunday, September 8.
NPFL Fixtures & Schedule
Matchday 33 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered high drama at both ends of the table, with crucial wins, surprise results, and one confirmed relegation.
Bayelsa United kicked off the weekend with a commanding 3-0 home victory over Shooting Stars in Yenagoa. First-half goals from Ogba Ifeanyi and Magbisa Wisdom set the tone before Kehinde Lawal sealed the win early in the second half. The result extended Bayelsa’s unbeaten run to seven and lifted them from 19th to 13th.
In Enugu, Rangers International were stunned 2-0 by rivals Heartland FC in a fiery Oriental Derby. Suraju Lawal and Isaac Nassy found the net as the Naze Millionaires climbed out of the drop zone on goal difference, keeping their survival hopes alive.
Abia Warriors dented Rivers United’s title charge with a 2-0 win in Umuahia. Emmanuel Ogbuagu and Anthony Ijioma were on target, handing the third-placed Warriors a crucial boost in the race for continental qualification.
Remo Stars failed to win for a third straight game but maintained their grip on top spot after a 0-0 draw with Katsina United in Ikenne. The Sky Blue Stars now lead the table with 62 points.
Kano Pillars officially relegated bottom-placed Lobi Stars with a 2-0 win in Kano. Former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa scored the opener before Naziru Auwalu converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal the result.
Other results saw Nasarawa United edge Plateau United 3-2 in a thriller, Sunshine Stars beat Enyimba 2-1, and Ikorodu City thrashed Niger Tornadoes 3-0 to stay in the top four hunt. Akwa United and El-Kanemi Warriors settled for a 1-1 draw, while Bendel Insurance edged Kwara United 1-0 away.
Here are the results of NPFL Matchday 33
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team |
| 11/04/25 | Bayelsa United | 3-0 | Shooting Stars |
| 13/04/25 | Enugu Rangers | 0-2 | Heartland FC |
| 13/04/25 | Abia Warriors | 2-0 | Rivers United |
| 13/04/25 | Akwa United | 1-1 | El-Kanemi Warriors |
| 13/04/25 | Ikorodu City | 3-0 | Niger Tornadoes |
| 13/04/25 | Kano Pillars | 2-0 | Lobi Stars |
| 13/04/25 | Kwara United | 0-1 | Bendel Insurance |
| 13/04/25 | Nasarawa United | 3-2 | Plateau United |
| 13/04/25 | Remo Stars | 0-0 | Katsina United |
| 13/04/25 | Sunshine Stars | 2-1 | Enyimba United |
With just five games to go, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) enters a crucial phase as title contenders, continental hopefuls, and relegation battlers all gear up for decisive clashes across the country.
Table-toppers Remo Stars will be aiming to return to winning ways when they face Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Sunday evening. The Sky Blue Stars, despite a three-game winless run, hold a seven-point lead and know a victory could take them closer to a maiden league title. Shooting Stars, however, will be eager to bounce back after their 3-0 defeat to Bayelsa United.
Rivers United, sitting second, welcome Sunshine Stars to Port Harcourt. With the visitors still entrenched in the drop zone, it’s a must-win for both sides—Rivers to stay in touch with the leaders, and Sunshine to keep their survival hopes alive.
Ikorodu City, fresh off an emphatic win over Niger Tornadoes, head to Maiduguri for a clash against El-Kanemi Warriors. The Lagos side are just one point off the top three and will be looking to maintain momentum. El-Kanemi, meanwhile, are without a win in five and need a lift to avoid being dragged further into danger.
Enyimba return to Aba to face Kano Pillars in a clash between two former champions. Both teams are level on 46 points and chasing a late-season surge to secure a continental berth.
Meanwhile, bottom-placed Lobi Stars, already relegated, host Enugu Rangers in what could be a formality for the visitors. Rangers have slipped to eighth after a poor run but could revive their top-five hopes with all three points.
Heartland will hope to keep their survival push alive when they host Kwara United in Owerri. The Naze Millionaires are buoyed by a big win over Rangers last weekend and sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Elsewhere, Bendel Insurance welcome Nasarawa United to Benin, Katsina United host Abia Warriors in a mid-table battle, and Plateau United will look to respond from last week’s defeat as they take on Akwa United in Jos.
Here are the fixtures of NPFL Matchday 34
| Date | Match | Time | Stadium |
| Sat, 19 Apr | Lobi Stars vs Enugu Rangers | 16:00 | Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi |
| Sat, 19 Apr | Bendel Insurance vs Nasarawa Utd | 16:00 | Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin |
| Sun, 20 Apr | El-Kanemi Warriors vs Ikorodu City | 15:00 | Maiduguri Township Stadium, Maiduguri |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Rivers Utd vs Sunshine Stars | 16:00 | Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, PH |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Heartland FC vs Kwara United | 16:00 | Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Enyimba vs Kano Pillars | 16:00 | Enyimba International Stadium, Aba |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Niger Tornadoes vs Bayelsa United | 16:00 | Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Katsina United vs Abia Warriors | 16:00 | Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Plateau United vs Akwa United | 16:00 | New Jos Stadium, Jos |
| Sun, 20 Apr | Shooting Stars vs Remo Stars | 17:30 | Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan |
Where to watch NPFL matches
Fans will be able to catch the action live as Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) broadcast partners, StarTimes and Propel Sports Africa, have made provisions to stream games for viewers globally.
GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited, a key partner, has assured that live-streaming arrangements are fully in place for the 2024/2025 season, ensuring fans don’t miss any of the action.
