Rangers, Rivers United take NPFL title race to final day
Rivers United stunned already relegated Wikki Tourists 3-2 on Sunday in Bauchi to sustain pressure on league leaders Enugu Rangers as the last round of matches in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season hold next weekend across match venues. In the Week 37 match played in Enugu, Rangers edged Bendel Insurance 2-1 to […]
Rivers United stunned already relegated Wikki Tourists 3-2 on Sunday in Bauchi to sustain pressure on league leaders Enugu Rangers as the last round of matches in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season hold next weekend across match venues.
In the Week 37 match played in Enugu, Rangers edged Bendel Insurance 2-1 to maintain one their one point lead as Rivers United trail with 64 points.
Leading goal scorer, Godwin Obaje scored the opening goal for Rangers in the 15th minute, Alex Oweilayefi drew Insurance level in the 39th minute before Rangers found the winner in the 65th minute to clinch the maximum points.
In Bauchi, Jonathan Mairiga put Wikki Tourists ahead in the 21st minute, but Handsome Surveyor equalised for Rivers United in the 35th minute for the first half to end 1-1.
Two minutes into the second half, Bala Imamu restored Wikki’s lead but Rivers United responded with two late goals for a 3-2 victory to stay within touching distance of Rangers.
Following victories by both Rangers and Rivers United, the winner of the 2026 NPFL season would be decided on the last day of the season.
At the Lekan Salami Stadium Ibadan, 3SC squeezed past Barau FC 1-0 to climb to third with 60 points while Ikorodu City dropped to fourth following their scandalous 1-4 defeat at Katsina United.
Elsewhere, defending champions, Remo Stars fought back to beat Bayelsa United 2-1 in Ikenne to leave the relegation zone; Rabiu Ali scored the winner as Pillars defeated Wolves 1-0 in Kano to guarantee their safety; Babatunde Bright scored a brace as relegation-bound Kwara United piped Enyimba 2-0 while Tornadoes held El-kanemi Warriors to a goalless draw in Maiduguri.
Meanwhile, Abia Warriors’ continental hopes evaporated into thin air after a shocking 0-2 home defeat to relegation-threatened Kun Khalifat while Nasarawa United recorded a slim 1-0 victory over neighbours Plateau United in their last home match of the season.