The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has concluded arrangements to crown the champions of the 2025/26 season either in Lagos or Port Harcourt.

Enugu Rangers and Rivers United are in a fierce contest for the title with only one point separating the Flying Antelopes from the Pride of Rivers.

Enugu Rangers, who are on 65 points, are away to Ikorodu City in Lagos, while Rivers United will host Katsina United in Port Harcourt.

This means that Rangers must win in Lagos, but against an Ikorodu City side chasing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup, it will take more than the will for victory to get the needed points.

A draw and a likely win for Rivers United against Katsina United will confine Rangers to the second position, with the consolation of a CAF Champions League slot.

To ensure that the winners of the championship are crowned on Sunday, which is the last matchday for the 2025/26 season, the NPFL has arranged for the trophy to be present at both venues.

NPFL Media Manager, Harry Iwuala, told The Guardian yesterday that all the arrangements have been concluded to ensure a befitting grande finale for the season.

He said that top NPFL officials, NSC bigwigs, top government officials and partners of the league will be on hand to witness the crowning of a new champion.

All the 10 matches of the last matchday will hold simultaneously across the country as the NPFL wants to ensure a level-playing field for all the gladiators.

While Rangers and Rivers United will be fighting for the title, Enyimba, defending champions, Remo Stars and Kano Pillars will also be engaged in battles for survival at the same time.

Nine teams, which also include Kwara United, El Kanemi, Kun Khalifat, Plateau United, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves are perched precariously in the drop zone of the league with only one game to go.

Actually, only three points separate the 10th-placed Kano Pillars (48 points) from Niger Tornadoes, which occupies the 18th spot with 45 points.

Kwara United, Plateau United and El-Kanemi occupy the 11th, 12th and 13th spots respectively, albeit separated only by goals differences as they are on the same 47 points, while Enyimba (14th), Remo Stars (15th) and Warri Wolves (16th) are on 46 points.

Niger Tornadoes, in the 17th position, have 45 points, but they still have chances of survival if they defeat Shooting Stars of Ibadan in Minna on Sunday and hope that other games go their way. Victory will place them on 48 points, which could be good enough for survival if all the teams above them in the relegation zone falter. Their chances of survival are slim though.

Kwara United have good chances of beating the drop as they visit the already relegated Bayelsa United in Yenagoa. A draw could suffice for the Ilorin boys if Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Warri Wolves, Remo Stars, Enyimba and Warri Wolves fail to win their games.

Incidentally, Enyimba will battle with El-Kanemi in Aba, which means that whoever wins the game will survive the drop. But a draw will favour El-Kanemi, which will now wait for other results to find out if 48 points would be good enough to save them. For Enyimba, it is win or burst.

The same scenario awaits Plateau United and Kano Pillars as the winners will enhance their chances of survival, while defeat spells doom for the loser. On 48 points, Kano Pillars need a draw from the game to escape the drop, while Plateau United must win to be sure of survival.

Kun Khalifat, Remo Stars and Warri Wolves all need a win to survive, but of the lot, Remo Stars have the hardest task as their last game is away to Bendel Insurance of Benin. Beating the Benin Arsenal is the Ogun State side’s only hope for survival.

For Warri Wolves, the task is clear; beat Abia Warriors or drown? Playing at home, Warri Wolves could still achieve their dream of remaining in the elite division since Abia Warriors have no dog in the relegation or title battles. (The Guardian)

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