The good, bad & ugly of 2025 NPFL season

The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season has delivered an unforgettable mix of excitement, controversy, and history. From fairytale runs to shocking downfalls, fans witnessed the league evolve in a thrilling fashion. Clubs rose, giants fell, and the quality of play across the board improved, cementing this season as one of the most compelling […]

The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season has delivered an unforgettable mix of excitement, controversy, and history. From fairytale runs to shocking downfalls, fans witnessed the league evolve in a thrilling fashion.

Clubs rose, giants fell, and the quality of play across the board improved, cementing this season as one of the most compelling in recent years. At the heart of it all were stories of underdog triumphs, painful relegations, refereeing controversies, and individual brilliance. With one more round of matches this weekend to wrap up proceedings, fans can only expect more excitement and an intriguing end to the season.

 

Remo Stars make history

At the summit, Remo Stars finally tasted glory. On April 27, 2025, the club from Ikenne clinched their first-ever NPFL title, defeating Niger Tornadoes in a tense 1–0 affair. The result pushed them to 68 points from 35 matches, putting them 10 points clear of their closest rivals, Rivers United.

What makes the triumph even more remarkable is that Remo Stars became the first South-West club to win the NPFL since 1991 and the first privately owned club to claim the title since Udoji United did it in 1996.

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Their victory also fetched them a ticket to the CAF Champions League, where they will test their mettle against Africa’s elite. Head coach Daniel Ogunmodede admitted the pressure of the title race was immense, but praised his players for their resolve in seeing out the season.

 

Ikorodu City’s remarkable rise

Undoubtedly, one of the most exciting narratives of the season came from Ikorodu City FC. Newly promoted to the NPFL after a successful campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL), many expected the Lagos-based side to simply fight for survival. Instead, Ikorodu City shocked everyone with their fluid style of football and big-game mentality.

Their performances were not just plucky; they were clinical and calculated. With standout players like Shola Adelani and Ayomide Cole leading the attack, the club secured crucial wins over top-tier teams, and even reached the semi-finals of the 2025 President’s Federation Cup. Their narrow 1-0 victory against Wikki Tourists, sealed by a Shola Adelani penalty, marked a defining moment that announced their arrival as a force to be reckoned with.

Even more impressive was their dominance at the Omobolaji Johnson Arena, where they handed Katsina United a crushing 6–0 defeat—the biggest home win of the season. The game started with Katsina looking confident, but once Ikorodu City found their rhythm, goals flowed freely. The emphatic victory capped off a season that will be remembered for their attacking verve and fearless approach. With 16 victories, 8 draws and only 6 losses in 37 matches, City have indeed surpassed all expectations in their debut season.

 

The fall of Lobi Stars

While Ikorodu City rose, Lobi Stars crashed. One of Nigeria’s traditional football powerhouses, Lobi Stars, endured a nightmare campaign that ended in their relegation after 27 uninterrupted years in the top flight. It was a collapse that shocked many, given the club’s rich history and past success.

Poor decision-making off the pitch, inconsistency on it, and an inability to adapt to the changing pace and style of the NPFL all contributed to their downfall. Questions have since been raised about the club’s leadership, recruitment strategy, and overall direction. For a team that once contested titles and competed in continental tournaments, this relegation signals a need for a major rebuild.

 

Surprises, upsets, and a league reborn

One of the defining characteristics of the 2024/2025 NPFL season was its unpredictability. Week after week, fans were treated to dramatic upsets and last-minute wins. Newly promoted sides, particularly Ikorodu City, refused to be intimidated by more established teams, frequently upsetting the odds and adding to the competitive edge of the league.

Games were tight, and many fixtures decided by a single goal, making for compelling viewing. The parity across the league ensured that no team could afford to be complacent, and that unpredictability is what truly made this season special.

 

Officiating: Progress and problems

As with many football leagues globally, refereeing in the NPFL remained a hot topic. There were attempts by the Nigerian Premier Football League board to improve officiating standards through pre-season referee training and better incentives. However, the season still suffered from high-profile officiating controversies.

Super Eagles veteran Ahmed Musa’s outburst after a controversial Matchday 9 game between Nasarawa United and Kano Pillars highlighted the issues. Musa described the referees as “moral killers,” questioning their integrity and warning that poor officiating could damage the league’s reputation.

Such public criticism from a player of Musa’s stature underlines the urgent need for reform. For the NPFL to maintain credibility and attract fans, both in stadiums and on television, officiating must be transparent, fair, and consistently high in standard.

 

Individual brilliance: Anas Yusuf and the Golden Boot race

While team success dominated headlines, individual performances also stood out—none more so than Nasarawa United’s captain and attacking winger, Anas Yusuf. With 18 goals so far and one more round of matches left, he leads the race for the Golden Boot and has played a critical role in keeping his side above the relegation zone.

Chasing him in the scoring charts are three players tied on 12 goals: Anthony Ijoma Dessouza (Abia Warriors), Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City) and Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars).Despite this competition, Yusuf’s form suggests he is the frontrunner to claim the prestigious award—unless a dramatic finish sees one of his rivals catch up.

 

El-Kanemi’s ten-game winning streak

El-Kanemi Warriors etched their name into the season’s storyline by going ten games unbeaten—a feat unmatched this season. Beginning with a draw against Enugu Rangers in August, their streak included four wins and six draws, with an impressive number of clean sheets.

Their run ended on November 10 in a 3–0 defeat to Shooting Stars, with goals from Samuel Ayanrinde, Abubakar Aliyu, and Adams Mustapha. Though that loss was heavy, El-Kanemi’s defensive resilience and tactical discipline during the streak showed their potential for next season. Sadly, they are among clubs that are hoping to escape relegation on the last day of the season.

 

Timely conclusion of the season

This NPFL season is historic not just for its on-field moments, but for structural improvements as well. For the first time in its history, the NPFL will conclude before most European leagues—thanks to the August 31, 2024, kickoff. Long criticized for late starts and inconsistent calendars, the league’s timely schedule has been widely praised by fans and pundits.

The early finish also boosts the league’s profile, allowing Nigerian clubs better preparation for continental tournaments and aligning the NPFL more closely with global football calendars.

 

The road ahead

As the season comes to climax tomorrow, May 25, it’s clear that the Nigerian football league is undergoing a transformation. The rise of teams like Ikorodu City, the steady march of Remo Stars, and the emotional tumble of Lobi Stars reflect a league in transition—where talent, planning, and professionalism are beginning to outweigh reputation and history